These criminals were organizing clandestine reunions, in which they facilitated meetings between members of organized armed groups and indigenous children over the age of 14. Apparently, these minors were put in a process of indoctrination and recruitment in the department of Guaviare.
In compliance with the Campaign Plan Ayacucho and thanks to the intelligence work, soldiers of the Fourth Division, with the support of the National Police, carried out the arrest in flagrante delicto of two individuals when they were carrying out illegal activities for the forced recruitment of children and adolescents.
The military operation was carried out with troops of the Thirty-First Rainforest Brigade, of the Rainforest Battalion Nº 52 Coronel José Dolores Solano, in the vicinity of the port of Caruru, Vaupés, where they were taking a minor whom they allegedly were used to enter the ranks of the Residual Organized Armed Group, GAO-r, Structure 1 Armando Ríos. The military acted in a timely manner when the criminals were planning to embark on a boat with an outboard motor to an unknown place.
The minor was promised with an excellent remuneration and through deception he was taken from his place of origin, so that later he was forcibly recruited to carry out illegal activities. The minor is currently under the protection of the Colombian Family Wellbeing Institute, ICBF, so that his rights can be restored.
Those arrested were put into custody of the authorities for their respective prosecution and would have to face charges for the crime of illegal or forced recruitment with sentences of 8 to 15 years in prison.
Colombian National Army, as a fundamental pillar in the construction of a better country, combats the forced recruitment of minors and works in favor of the security and protection of indigenous communities. Their efforts are focused on promoting prevention campaigns to face this crime that threatens Colombian families.
Source: Press - Fourth Division
