WorldSecurity and defence
Colombia's armed groups recruit children, use them for drone attacks: HRW
Human Rights Watch reports that armed groups in Colombia are recruiting children, including for drone warfare, with at least 1,500 child recruits since 2021.
Drug gangs and rebel groups in Colombia are increasingly recruiting children and using them for dangerous tasks, including piloting explosives-laden drones, according to a Human Rights Watch report released Monday.
The watchdog said criminal organizations often use social media to recruit children as they seek to control rural areas where they profit from drug trafficking, extortion and illegal mining.
Colombia's Human Rights Defenders' Office has recorded at least 1,500 child recruits since 2021, including 625 cases in 2024 alone.
"Armed groups in Colombia are recruiting children with impunity," said Juanita Goebertus, Americas director at Human Rights Watch. "Protection systems are failing, and social media platforms have become a more effective recruiting ground."
The report highlights the growing use of children in armed conflict, raising concerns about the effectiveness of government protection systems.
WorldSecurity and defence
Colombia's armed groups recruit children, use them for drone attacks: HRW
Human Rights Watch reports that armed groups in Colombia are recruiting children, including for drone warfare, with at least 1,500 child recruits since 2021.
Drug gangs and rebel groups in Colombia are increasingly recruiting children and using them for dangerous tasks, including piloting explosives-laden drones, according to a Human Rights Watch report released Monday.
The watchdog said criminal organizations often use social media to recruit children as they seek to control rural areas where they profit from drug trafficking, extortion and illegal mining.
Colombia's Human Rights Defenders' Office has recorded at least 1,500 child recruits since 2021, including 625 cases in 2024 alone.
"Armed groups in Colombia are recruiting children with impunity," said Juanita Goebertus, Americas director at Human Rights Watch. "Protection systems are failing, and social media platforms have become a more effective recruiting ground."
The report highlights the growing use of children in armed conflict, raising concerns about the effectiveness of government protection systems.