Child recruitment has dramatically surged in Colombia over the last year. A report by Colombia’s Ombudsman’s Office raises the number of child recruitment cases to 463 in 2024, marking an increase of more than 150% compared to 2023, highlighting the severity of the situation.
The rise in violence and increased activity of illegal armed groups have fueled child recruitment, particularly among vulnerable populations. Indigenous communities account for half of the cases, while peasant families in remote areas are also heavily affected.
Child recruitment in Colombia, a growing crisis in 2024
The Ombudsman’s Office has raised the alarm about a dire situation directly affecting children in Colombia, especially those living in rural areas. In its latest report, the entity confirmed that child recruitment cases in 2024 rose to 463, revising its initial figures upward.
“In January 2025, the Ombudsman’s Office reported 409 cases of forced recruitment of children and adolescents in 2024. However, due to ongoing monitoring, additional cases from last year continued to emerge, bringing the total to 463,” the entity announced.
Although several groups are responsible for this practice, which is a clear violation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), dissidents of the former FARC are believed to be the main perpetrators.
The Ombudsman’s Office warns that the actual number of cases may be even higher, as many families choose not to report incidents out of fear of reprisals from these groups.
“We have significant underreporting, the families are afraid because these groups forbid them from speaking out, threatening to take their other children. In such a situation, it becomes extremely complex,” said Iris Marin, Colombia’s ombudsman.
En enero de 2025, la Defensoría del Pueblo reportó 409 casos de reclutamiento forzado de niños, niñas y adolescentes ocurridos en 2024. Debido a nuestro seguimiento constante, continuamos recibiendo casos de reclutamientos presentados el año pasado, por lo que hoy la cifra… pic.twitter.com/tsvukzPoQ5
— Defensoría del Pueblo (@DefensoriaCol) March 5, 2025
The tragedy beyond the figures
Although various reports and studies provide differing figures on child recruitment in Colombia, what remains clear is that this illegal practice saw a significant rise in 2024.
The surge in violence and the growing strength of illegal armed groups across the country are driving these alarming numbers.
The lack of results from the Colombian government’s current Total Peace policy, combined with the persistence of the underlying causes that have fueled these groups for decades, is pushing Colombia back into situations that seemed surmountable less than a decade ago.
Beyond political differences and varying opinions, security and peace experts unanimously agree that child recruitment must be the central issue in any negotiations with armed groups.
In their view, eliminating this practice should be the first step before initiating any dialogue with these illegal organizations.