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ELN leaders sentenced in Colombia for recruiting 60 minors
A specialized judge in Antioquia has sentenced 11 members of the National Liberation Army (ELN) for the illicit recruitment of 60 children and adolescents. The crimes occurred between 2004 and 2018 across the Colombian departments of Antioquia, Bolívar, Chocó, Risaralda, and Valle del Cauca.
Four leaders from the ELN Central Command—Nicolás Rodríguez Bautista (alias Gabino), Eliécer Herlindo Chamorro Acosta (alias Antonio García), Israel Ramírez Pineda (alias Pablo Beltrán), and Gustavo Aníbal Giraldo Quinchía (alias Pablito)—received sentences of 20 years and 4 months in prison. Seven other members from various structures were sentenced to terms ranging from 11 years and 8 months to 14 years and 2 months.
The victims, aged between 8 and 17, were drawn from peasant, Afro-descendant, and indigenous communities. Evidence presented by the Prosecutor General's Office showed that minors were coerced through threats, false promises, and physical violence. Once recruited, they were forced into roles such as guarding, patrolling, food preparation, and heavy labor. Some were also used as radio operators and forced to participate in combat, extortion, and the installation of explosives. The investigation also documented instances of sexual violence, physical abuse, and forced abortions. Three minors died while in the group's ranks.
Entities
Antioquia · ELN · Eliécer Herlindo Chamorro Acosta · Fiscalía General de la Nación · Nicolás Rodríguez Bautista
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Recruited minors were forced into operational and logistical roles, including guarding, patrolling, food preparation, and heavy labor. www.cablenoticias.com · noticiasya.co · www.asuntoslegales.com.co
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The 60 recruited victims were between 8 and 17 years old and belonged to peasant, Afro-descendant, and indigenous communities. noticiasya.co
- [● 3 SOURCES] Four members of the ELN Central Command were sentenced to 20 years and 4 months in prison. www.cablenoticias.com · noticiasya.co · www.asuntoslegales.com.co
- [● 3 SOURCES] Three of the recruited minors died while serving in the ELN. www.cablenoticias.com · noticiasya.co · www.asuntoslegales.com.co
- [● 3 SOURCES] The recruitment occurred between 2004 and 2018 in the departments of Antioquia, Bolívar, Chocó, Risaralda, and Valle del Cauca. www.cablenoticias.com · noticiasya.co · www.asuntoslegales.com.co
- [● 2 SOURCES] Some minors were used as radio operators and participated in combat, extortion, and the installation of explosives. noticiasya.co · www.asuntoslegales.com.co
- [● 2 SOURCES] Seven other ELN members received prison sentences ranging from 11 years and 8 months to 14 years and 2 months. noticiasya.co · www.asuntoslegales.com.co
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Prosecutor General's Office proved that 11 ELN members were responsible for the illicit recruitment of 60 minors. www.cablenoticias.com · noticiasya.co · www.asuntoslegales.com.co