Ecuador in Turmoil: Missing Children and Military Accusations

An Ecuadorean judge has ordered the arrest of 16 soldiers linked to the disappearance of four children in Guayaquil. The incident has heightened tensions in already violence-stricken Ecuador, leading to protests and sparking national outrage. The military claims the children were suspected of robbery, but they have since gone missing.

An Ecuadorean judge has mandated the arrest of 16 soldiers who are suspected of being involved in the disappearance of four children from Guayaquil. This decision follows a request from Ecuador's Attorney General's office. The soldiers, now apprehended, are being moved from a military base to a civilian prison, according to the Attorney General's office.

The disappearance of these children has shaken Ecuador, a country grappling with increasing violence and military involvement in the crackdown on drug-related crimes. The children, aged between 11 and 15, disappeared after reportedly playing soccer, sparking widespread outcry and protests in the city.

Meanwhile, the discovery of four charred bodies near a military base has added to the grim circumstances as detectives investigate if they belong to the missing minors. Amid mounting pressure, President Daniel Noboa, seeking re-election, faces accusations of military negligence in handling the escalating violence.

(With inputs from agencies.)