Kathmandu— Three minors were among ten people killed in a Colombian military air strike on cocaine-trafficking rebels last week, according to authorities. The August 27 bombing in the southern Guaviare department was part of President Abelardo de la Espriella's intensified operations against armed groups since taking office earlier this month.

Child Recruitment by Armed Groups

Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported that at least 1,500 children have been recruited by armed groups in Colombia since 2021, with 625 cases reported in 2024. Criminal and rebel groups are increasingly using social media platforms like Meta and TikTok to recruit minors for dangerous tasks such as operating drones loaded with explosives. Juanita Goebertus, HRW’s Americas director, stated that armed groups are recruiting children with impunity and that protection systems are failing.

Military Operations Against Armed Groups

President de la Espriella intensified military operations against armed groups following his inauguration. The August 27 bombing was the deadliest operation since he took office, killing ten people in total, including three minors aged 15 and 16. De la Espriella condemned the recruitment of children by these groups, stating that they must pay for crimes violating International Humanitarian Law.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.