Ecuador Investigates Military Over Disappearance of Four Boys

The case of the 'Guayaquil Four' has intensified scrutiny of President Noboa's security policies as charred bodies are found near a military base.

Four boys, aged 11 to 15, went missing on December 8 in Guayaquil after being detained by 16 soldiers during a military operation.
Surveillance footage implicating soldiers in the boys' detention was available within 36 hours but an investigation was delayed for nearly two weeks.
On Christmas Eve, four charred bodies were discovered near Taura air force base; DNA testing is underway to confirm their identities.
The soldiers involved have been detained and face charges of forced disappearance, with hearings scheduled for December 31.
The case has sparked national outrage, with rights groups criticizing the military's role in internal security under Noboa's anti-drug policies.