15 Minors Killed in Colombian Airstrikes — Legal and Humanitarian Outcry

At least 15 children and teenagers, aged 13 to 17, were killed in four government-authorized airstrikes in Colombia, prompting urgent legal, ethical and humanitarian questions about the use of force in areas where illegal armed groups recruit minors.

The Office of the Ombudsman has opened an investigation to determine whether principles such as proportionality and distinction under International Humanitarian Law were violated. Ombudsman director Iris Marín said, "The presence of minors in armed camps does not justify an attack," and urged President Gustavo Petro and the Defense Ministry to suspend airstrikes while the cases are reviewed.

According to post-operation reviews, the strikes were carried out between August and Nov. 10 in the departments of Arauca, Guaviare and Amazonas and were aimed at dissident factions of the FARC. Authorities and investigators say the victims had been forcibly recruited and used by armed groups as messengers, lookouts, combatants or human shields.

Forced recruitment and the risks to children

Forced recruitment of children remains a systematic problem in parts of Colombia where state presence is weak. Armed groups exploit poverty, lack of protection and local governance gaps to conscript minors, exposing them to extreme violence, abuse, and death. Humanitarian organizations warn that reliance on lethal military operations in such contexts risks civilian harm, especially when children are present.

Government response

President Gustavo Petro defended the legality of the operations and stressed the need to disrupt drug-trafficking groups that he says use children to shield commanders. On social media he wrote that critics who oppose airstrikes "lead armed drug-trafficking groups to recruit more and more children, violating IHL [International Humanitarian Law]. These groups believe that by recruiting children they protect their commanders and bosses. That belief must evaporate."

Petro also expressed personal sorrow: "I will carry that sorrow on my conscience. I ask forgiveness from the mothers of those children. They never should have been there." He responded to the Ombudsman by saying there will be no suspension of airstrikes while offensive actions by armed groups continue, and asserted that future actions will comply with international humanitarian law.

Domestic and international reaction

Former President Ernesto Samper criticized the strikes and compared them to other high-casualty conflicts, arguing that indiscriminate bombings that risk civilian lives—especially children—are prohibited under international law. Human Rights Watch, Save the Children and other humanitarian groups have called for rescue-oriented approaches, stronger child-protection measures and transparent investigations to ensure accountability.

The deaths have deepened a national debate over how to balance military pressure on illegal armed groups with the obligation to protect children and civilian populations. Ongoing investigations and independent reviews will be key to determining whether the operations complied with legal standards and what steps are needed to prevent further child casualties.