Protection of children and weakening of illegal structures are key results of the military operation in the south of the country.
In the framework of sustained military operations in the department of Caquetá, Colombian National Army, through the Twelfth Brigade, reported an important result of the military operation that stands out not only for the surrender to justice of two alleged members of illegal structures, but especially for the recovery of a minor victim of forced recruitment, an action that evidences the institutional commitment to the protection of children's rights.
The operation was carried out by troops of the Special Energy and Road Battalion No. 19 in the village of La Esmeralda, municipality of Puerto Rico, where the surrender of two alleged members of the residual organized armed group, GAO-r, Raúl Reyes Structure, of the Jorge Suárez Briceño bloc took place.
Simultaneously, within the framework of these operations, it was possible to recover a minor who was part of the GAO-r Carlos Patiño Structure. This result is of special importance, as it concerns the direct protection of a child who was being exploited by criminal structures, violating his fundamental rights and exposing him to environments of violence.
The minor was put into custody of the authorities for the restoration of his rights, initiating a comprehensive care process that includes psychosocial accompaniment, protection and access to State programs, aimed at his recovery and reintegration into civilian life.
This situation shows the persistence of illegal armed groups in the recruitment of minors, an activity that constitutes a serious violation of human rights and international humanitarian law, which is resolutely combated by the Military Forces.
For their part, the two men who decided to surrender to justice had stayed for more than two years in the illegal organization, where they received basic guerrilla training, handling long rifle-type weapons, use of mortars, self-defense and instruction in the use of drones, which reflects the level of preparation in these structures.
During their stay, they allegedly participated in different armed acts in the departments of Caquetá and Putumayo, including reported combats conducted by 2023 and 2024 in Puerto Guzmán, as well as their alleged participation in an ambush in the sector known as El Cuatro. In the same way, in February 2026 they were involved in armed clashes in the rural area of San José del Fragua, department of Caquetá.
According to their testimonies, both expressed their fatigue in the face of a war that “was not theirs”, added to the difficult conditions in the illegal group, where they evidenced inequalities, constant pressure and lack of commitments, factors that influenced their decision to abandon firearms.
After their surrender, they began the way of legality, a process that will enable them to access humanitarian care, legal guidance, psychosocial support and educational and income-generating opportunities, facilitating their reintegration into society.
They were put into custody of the authorities, working to ensure respect for their human rights and due process at all times.
Source: Press - National Army
