Colombia Ombudsman calls for probe into youth death during military operation

Colombia’s Defensoría del Pueblo has called for a rigorous investigation into the death of 18-year-old Ricardo Andrés Rodríguez Martínez during a military operation in the rural area of Guachaca, Santa Marta. The operation, conducted by the National Army, targeted the Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la Sierra Nevada (ACSN).

While authorities initially reported deaths of individuals linked to the armed group, the family of Rodríguez Martínez maintains that he was a civilian with no ties to the criminal organization. The Defensoría is working with the Fiscalía General de la Nación and the National Institute of Legal Medicine to facilitate access to information and the return of the body to his relatives.

The Ministry of Defense confirmed the identity of the deceased and dismissed claims that he was the son of an ACSN leader, labeling such reports as unsubstantiated. The Defensoría has also provided public defense services to the family to ensure their legal rights are protected during the investigation.