So far this year, Colombian National Army has recovered 18 minors used in drug trafficking, common crime and criminal activities by residual organized armed groups.
In the village of Santa Marta, in the municipality of La Plata, in the west of Huila, troops of the Pigoanza Battalion, of the Ninth Brigade, recovered two minors, who had been illicitly recruited by members of the Dagoberto Ramos mobile column, which in the Department is called the Ismael Ruiz Structure, this recruitment is a clear violation of international humanitarian law.
The two young men were traveling on a motorcycle and were apparently guarding a Mazda CX 30 pickup truck, vehicles that had been reported stolen. These vehicles were used for extortion purposes and were in the same way used to transport narcotics to the departments of Cauca and Caquetá.
In the same way, during the stability operation, two 9-millimeter pistols, a 38-millimeter caliber revolver, 2 magazines and 51 cartridges were found by troops, elements that would have been distributed to the minors, apparently with the mission of perpetrating operations to generate terror among civilians.
The minors were allegedly forced to participate in the intimidation actions against peasants, in addition to being part of the individuals who forced the peasants and other inhabitants to participate in illegal meetings, as well as activities for extortion purposes.
The young people were immediately put into custody of the Children and Adolescent Police for the restoration of their rights.
Source: Press - Fifth Division of Colombian National Army
