Nine guerrilla members have been killed in the attack carried out in the Arauca region in northeastern Colombia earlier this week.
The operation is the latest in a series of intensified attacks by President Gustavo Petros against groups suspected of cocaine trafficking. Around 20 people have been killed in similar attacks in recent times.
Ombudsman Iris Marin told reporters on Saturday that “six minors who were forced to join” the guerrillas were among the dead.
The leftist president has previously been criticized by the United States and within Colombia for taking a soft line against drug cartels. After taking office in 2022, Petro focused on negotiations with several cartels.
