In a recent development highlighting the ongoing conflict in Colombia, human rights ombudswoman Iris Marín has called on President Gustavo Petro to suspend airstrikes against rebel groups following the tragic deaths of at least five teenagers. The strikes, reportedly conducted by Colombia's military in October and November, have raised significant concerns regarding the impact on minors caught in the crossfire.
Marín disclosed in a video on Monday that the fatalities included a female teenager killed in a military action targeting the FARC-EMC rebel group in Arauca province, while four other teenagers who were forcibly recruited by the group were killed in a separate strike earlier in October. This grim announcement follows reports that a total of at least 12 minors have lost their lives in government airstrikes this year alone.
On Saturday, Marín had previously revealed that another strike against the FARC-EMC resulted in the deaths of seven minors in Guaviare province. This region has been the focus of a government offensive aimed at dismantling the operations of Nestor Gregorio Vera, a notorious rebel leader known as Iván Mordisco.
In response to the increasing number of civilian casualties, military prosecutors in Colombia announced on Monday that they had initiated an inquiry into the airstrike in Guaviare to ascertain whether it adhered to international laws governing armed conflict. Marín has urged President Petro to put a halt to strikes in areas where minors might be present, stating, "The life story of each one of these minors who dies in the bombardments is heart-wrenching."
Despite the confirmation of these tragic deaths, government officials remain steadfast in their refusal to suspend airstrikes, attributing the risks to the criminal groups that reportedly force children into their ranks. In a message on social media platform X, Petro argued that suspending military action would allow mafia bosses to recruit even more children, as they would feel secure from attacks if minors were present in their ranks.
Furthermore, the Colombian president has announced plans to bring a case against rebel leader Ivan Mordisco before the International Criminal Court for his alleged recruitment of children, which the United Nations human rights office in Colombia has classified as a war crime. The UN further urged the Colombian government to take comprehensive measures to prevent the recruitment of children and to ensure their safety during military operations.
The deaths of minors in military strikes have historically been a contentious issue in Colombia. This sensitive topic was brought to light in 2019 when a former defense minister resigned after it was revealed that the government had covered up the deaths of eight children during an airstrike in Caqueta province.
Upon taking office three years ago, President Petro initially suspended airstrikes against criminal groups to minimize the risk of civilian casualties, particularly those involving minors. He criticized previous administrations for committing "war crimes" due to child deaths in military actions. However, airstrikes resumed last year as his government faced challenges in curbing the growth of various armed groups vying for control over territories previously abandoned by FARC, which signed a peace agreement with the Colombian government in 2016.
Petro has contended that he is transparent about the deaths resulting from airstrikes, unlike prior administrations. He maintains that the strikes are necessary to protect government forces and civilians from armed groups. Petro emphasized on X, "Those who are falling in the bombardments of Colombian forces have machine guns, explosives, and have declared themselves members of an armed group. They are trying to eliminate government forces and civilians with their lethal weapons."
