Colombia's Defensoría del Pueblo documented 339 cases of forced minor recruitment by armed groups in 2025, plus 15 in the first two months of 2026. The figures reveal patterns by gender, ethnicity, and regions, with heavy impact on indigenous communities. Multiple armed groups are listed as main perpetrators.
Colombia's Defensoría del Pueblo recorded 339 cases of recruitment of children, girls, and adolescents in 2025, continuing with 15 incidents in January and February 2026. In 2025, 58% of victims were boys and male adolescents, and 42% girls and female adolescents; in 2026, it rose to 73% for males and 27% for females.
Indigenous communities were disproportionately affected in 2025, accounting for 55% of cases, followed by 39% with no ethnic identification and 6% Afro-Colombians. In 2026, 86% had no ethnic record, with 7% indigenous and 7% Afro-Colombians each.
In 2025, Estado Mayor Central led with 41.9%, followed by unidentified groups (18.6%), dissident factions (13.3%), and ELN (9.7%). For 2026, ELN topped at 40%, with Estado Mayor de los Bloques y Frentes at 26.5%.
Cases concentrated in departments like Cauca, Antioquia, Chocó, Nariño, and Norte de Santander in 2025, including 16 in Huila. In 2026, reports came from Antioquia, Norte de Santander, Cauca, and others. The agency calls for stronger state presence to prevent the issue.