Colombia’s human rights ombudswoman said Saturday that seven children were killed in a controversial airstrike against a rebel group in the country’s south earlier this week, as the administration of President Gustavo Petro steps up efforts to regain control of rural areas in Guaviare province.
In a statement, ombudswoman Iris Marin said the minors killed in the strike against the FARC-EMC rebel group had been forcibly recruited and were being used as “human shields.”
Marin called on the Colombian government and rebel groups in the country to respect international humanitarian law. The public defender had initially said that six minors were killed in the strike but updated the death toll following a statement from Colombia’s Forensic Medicine institute.
“The armed forces must adopt precautions to protect children who have been forced to take part in hostilities,” Marin said.
According to Colombia’s military, at least 19 fighters were killed in the strike that took place on Tuesday in Guaviare, including the six minors.
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Colombian Officials Say 7 Children were Killed in an Airstrike Against a Rebel Group This Week
11/15/2025
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