# Child recruitment by armed groups in Colombia

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/child-recruitment-by-armed-groups-in-colombia
> Updated: 2026-10-25T17:56:25.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

Legal proceedings in Colombia have addressed the recruitment of minors by various armed organizations. In one case, a court sentenced 11 National Liberation Army (ELN) commanders in absentia for the forced recruitment of 60 children and adolescents between 2004 and 2018. The court found that members of the ELN Central Command and regional leaders used threats and violence to force minors into roles such as combat, guarding, and installing explosives. 

In a separate instance, an individual was jailed for using social media to recruit two adolescents into a FARC dissident group. The suspect reportedly exploited economic vulnerabilities by promising money and luxury goods to facilitate the minors' travel to the Cauca department.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-25: Colombia man jailed for recruiting minors into FARC dissidents

A man was imprisoned in Colombia for allegedly using social media to recruit two minors into FARC dissident groups by promising money and weapons.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/colombia-man-jailed-for-recruiting-minors-into-farc-dissidents

### 2026-09-28: ELN commanders sentenced for recruiting 60 minors in Colombia

A Colombian court sentenced 11 ELN commanders in absentia for the forced recruitment of 60 children between 2004 and 2018, with top leaders receiving over 20 years in prison.

16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eln-leaders-sentenced-in-colombia-for-recruiting-60-minors

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Cite as: Child recruitment by armed groups in Colombia. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/child-recruitment-by-armed-groups-in-colombia