Social activists in Ecuador demand answers over missing children

The Ecuadorian society is still in shock over the disappearance of four minors in Guayaquil three weeks ago today, a case that has generated national and international outrage, due to the involvement of the military. 

On December 8, individualas in military fatigues apprehended Josué Arroyo (14 years old), Ismael Arroyo (15 years old), Saúl Arboleda (15 years old) and Steven Medina (11 years old) and whisked them into a van, as surveillance videos show.

Constitutional judge Tanya Loor declared that the incident constitutes forced disappearance, a judgement countered by defense lawyers and the Armed Forces, who pointed out that “the children were released by military personnel.”

Speaking to the State Attorney General’s Office a key witness said he saw the minors on December 8, in the Taura sector, south of Guayaquil, according to reports from the Teleamazonas channel.

The witness heard noises outside his home and when he went out he saw the four beaten and naked children who asked him for help, water and to let them make a phone call.

One of the four spoke to his father and sent him the location, while the witness give them water, clothes, bread and suggested they hide while waiting for the family.

The man said that the National Police arrived, “but those people were already there”, riding motorcycles, and added that in the wake of the incident he’s been receiving threats via WhatsApp from people who claim to work for the criminal gang Los Choneros.

Sunday marks 21 days since the disappearance of the four children and their families demand clarification of the case and transparency from the authorities.

Several bodies were found last Tuesday near the Taura Air Base, 39 kilometers from Guayaquil, but they have not yet been identified, and DNA tests results may take from 30 to 40 days.

The newspaper Extra indicated that two of the bodies belong to the missing children, although there is still no official information on the matter.

The representative of the UN Human Rights in South America, Jan Jarab, spoke with the Ombudsman of Ecuador, César Córdova, and expressed his concern about the lack of response from the Armed Forces to requests for information.

The hearing to formulate charges against the 16 soldiers allegedly involved in the case will take place on December 31, and will not be broadcast publicly.

Social groups called for demonstrations on Monday to demand responses from the State.