Overview
- Colombia’s forensic institute reported that 7 of the 20 bodies from the Guaviare operation were minors, after the ombudsman initially confirmed 6.
- President Gustavo Petro acknowledged he gave the order for the strikes in Guaviare and Arauca, saying the decision aimed to prevent an imminent ambush on young soldiers.
- The Defense Ministry has reported about 19 combatants killed in the Guaviare strike, and the Army says three recruited minors were recovered alive during the operation.
- The ombudsman placed primary responsibility on dissident groups that forcibly recruit children, while urging the military to take all feasible precautions under international humanitarian law.
- The air operations reflect an escalation in 2025 following broken talks with FARC dissidents, with growing domestic criticism and U.S. counternarcotics pressure on Bogotá.