In Ecuador, an alarming crisis has unfolded, exposing the fragile state of public safety and institutional accountability. The tragic case of four boys who disappeared in Guayaquil has laid bare the dangers facing children in the country, raising national outrage and international concern. For mothers like Rosa Medina and Luisa Arroyo, the anguish is personal, visceral, and enduring.
The incident has not only shattered families but also forced Ecuadorians to confront a systemic failure that has put their most vulnerable at risk. It’s a story of heartbreak, delayed justice, and the resilience of families who refuse to let their children be forgotten.
A Neighborhood Devastated
On the morning of December 8, 2024, four boys—brothers Ismael (15) and Josué Arroyo (14), Steven Medina (11), and their friend Saúl Arboleda (15)—left their homes in the Las Malvinas neighborhood of Guayaquil to play soccer. They were like any other children, full of life and energy, heading to a game they had been excited about all week. Rosa Medina, Steven’s mother, remembers the last words she heard from her son. “He said, ‘I’ll be back soon, Mama.’ I never imagined those would be the last words I’d hear.”
For Luisa Arroyo, the mother of Ismael and Josué, the pain is unimaginable. “I told them to be careful, as I always do,” she says, her voice trembling. “They were good boys, obedient and kind. They didn’t deserve this.”
A Mother’s Narrow Escape From a Lifetime of Guilt
Jesse Calay, another mother in the neighborhood, feels a deep sense of guilt every time she thinks about that day. Her 12-year-old son, Miguel, was supposed to join the boys for the game. However, a minor cold kept him home. “Miguel begged me to let him go,” Jesse recalls. “But I told him to stay and rest. That decision saved his life, but it haunts me. What if he had gone? What if it had been him?”
Jesse’s story is a poignant reminder of how close her family came to sharing in the same devastating loss. “We knew all those boys so well,” she says. “They were like family to us.”
The Disappearance
What began as an ordinary outing quickly turned into a nightmare. Surveillance footage later revealed that the boys were intercepted by men dressed in military uniforms and taken away in a pickup truck. For days, parents scoured the city, desperately searching for any sign of their children. Rosa Medina and Luisa Arroyo visited police stations, hospitals, and morgues, often facing indifference or outright neglect from the authorities.
“When we showed them the footage, they said they would look into it, but nothing happened,” says Rosa. “It felt like they didn’t care.”
A Horrific Discovery
Nearly two weeks later, on December 24, 2024, the families’ worst fears were confirmed. The charred remains of the four boys were discovered near a military base in Taura. DNA testing later identified the bodies, shattering the hope that they might still be alive.
Luisa Arroyo breaks down as she describes the moment she learned the truth. “They didn’t just take my boys; they destroyed them. They robbed them of their futures.”
For Jesse Calay, the news brought both relief and overwhelming guilt. “I was grateful my son was spared,” she admits. “But how do you live with that when your neighbors have lost their children?”
Systemic Failures and Delayed Justice
The investigation into the boys’ disappearance was marred by delays and negligence. Despite the clear evidence provided by the surveillance footage, authorities failed to act swiftly. It wasn’t until public outrage reached a boiling point that a formal investigation began. Sixteen soldiers were eventually detained in connection with the case, accused of forced disappearance.
Ecuador’s Defense Minister acknowledged that the patrol responsible for taking the boys was unauthorized. However, this admission does little to comfort the grieving families. Rosa Medina expresses her frustration: “What good is an apology when my son is gone? We want justice, not excuses.”
A Community in Mourning
The Las Malvinas neighborhood has been left shattered. The once-lively soccer fields now stand empty, a grim reminder of the vibrant lives lost. Parents like Luisa Arroyo and Rosa Medina are haunted by the tragedy, but none more so than Jesse Calay, who lives with the knowledge that her son narrowly escaped the same fate.
“Every time I look at Miguel, I think of Ismael, Josué, Steven, and Saúl,” Jesse says. “I can’t imagine the pain their mothers are going through. I feel guilty that my son is still here while theirs are not.”
A National Crisis
The case of the Guayaquil Four is not an isolated incident. Ecuador has seen a troubling rise in disappearances, particularly among children and adolescents. Human rights organizations have pointed to systemic issues, including corruption, lack of accountability, and insufficient protections for vulnerable populations.
For Rosa Medina, these broader issues are no consolation. “This isn’t just about my son or the other boys,” she says. “It’s about all the children in Ecuador who are at risk. If this could happen to them, it could happen to anyone.”
Calls for Accountability and Reform
Nationwide protests have erupted in the wake of the boys’ deaths, with citizens demanding justice and meaningful reforms to protect children. Human rights activists have emphasized the need for comprehensive investigations and stricter oversight of security forces. The case has also highlighted systemic racism, as the boys were Afro-Ecuadorian, and their community has long faced discrimination and neglect.
Jesse Calay has joined the protests, standing alongside the grieving families to demand accountability. “This isn’t just about my son’s friends,” she says. “It’s about ensuring no other parent has to go through this. We need to fix the system before more children are taken from us.”
A Nation at a Crossroads
Ecuador now finds itself at a critical juncture. The deaths of Ismael, Josué, Steven, and Saúl have become a symbol of the broader challenges facing the nation. The government must grapple with escalating violence, corruption, and a growing crisis of public trust.
For parents like Rosa Medina, Luisa Arroyo, and Jesse Calay, the fight for justice is far from over. “We won’t stop until we get answers,” Rosa vows. “Our boys deserve that much.”
Jesse Calay, meanwhile, continues to wrestle with her own emotions. “I thank God every day that Miguel is still with me,” she says. “But I can’t stop thinking about the other mothers. Their pain is my pain. We’re all in this together.”
Justice for the Guayaquil Four
The story of the Guayaquil Four serves as a sobering reminder of the vulnerabilities that persist in Ecuador. As the nation mourns, there is a collective call for justice and systemic change to ensure that no other family endures such a devastating loss.
For Jesse Calay, Rosa Medina, Luisa Arroyo, and countless others, the fight continues. Their message is clear: Ecuador’s children deserve a future where they can play soccer, go to school, and grow up without fear. Until that future is secured, these mothers—and the entire nation—will not rest.