Colombia faces rising child disappearances and conflict-related missing persons

Colombia is facing a significant crisis regarding missing persons, with a particular focus on the rising disappearance of children and adolescents. In 2025, Medicina Legal received 5,397 reports of missing persons in the country, of which 3,169 were minors. Additionally, the Fiscalía recorded 1,364 criminal reports of forced disappearance during the same year, with 410 involving children and youth.

In Bogotá, the situation has recently drawn intense public attention. Preliminary data from Medicina Legal indicates that of 746 people reported missing in Bogotá during 2026 who had not yet returned home, 267 were minors. Authorities note that these disappearances stem from various causes, including family conflicts, violence, potential crimes, recruitment by armed groups, and risks of human trafficking or exploitation.

Beyond recent urban disappearances, the country continues to grapple with the long-term legacy of its armed conflict. There are approximately 137,000 people considered missing due to the conflict, with 57,290 individuals actively searching for them. The Unidad de Búsqueda utilizes forensic work and technology to identify remains and provide closure to families who have waited decades for answers.