As recently as the weekend, bombing raids were carried out against guerrilla forces in northeastern Colombia, near the border with Venezuela. The groups are accused of being involved in the extensive drug trafficking in the region. They have also kidnapped scores of children and young people who have been trained to become guerrilla fighters.
Five minors were killed in two recent bombings, Colombian President Gustavo Petro said on Monday. He said he ordered the attacks to save the lives of Colombian soldiers, but added that the “painful loss” of minors would weigh on his conscience.
On Monday, another authority announced that three minors were killed in another attack on August 24. And earlier, a human rights ombudsman reported seven deaths, bringing the total to 15.
On average, a minor is kidnapped every two days in Colombia. The victims in these cases were “victims who were forcibly recruited by criminals” who put them in danger, according to President Petro.
