Summary
In eastern Colombia, armed rebel groups are taking children from families to become fighters. This is causing severe distress for parents, who are afraid to report the abductions due to threats from the rebels. The International Committee for the Red Cross warns that child recruitment in Colombia is rising sharply as peace efforts falter.
Key Facts
- Armed groups in Colombia are forcibly recruiting children as young as 13 to be soldiers.
- Parents, like Marta and Gloria, are afraid to go to the police due to threats from these groups.
- Reports show that child recruitments in conflict areas increased by 1,000% from 2021 to 2024.
- The International Committee for the Red Cross says Colombia faces a worsening humanitarian situation.
- Many families have been forced to flee their homes because of fighting between different armed groups.
- The recruitment and use of child soldiers continue as peace negotiations with rebel groups have broken down this year.
- In some cases, local communities and organizations have negotiated for the return of abducted children.
