# Colombia conflict and child recruitment > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/colombia-conflict-and-child-recruitment > Updated: 2026-07-31T21:45:41.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2. A July 2026 report from the Norwegian Refugee Council documented extensive attacks on schools by illegal armed groups in Colombia during the first half of 2024, affecting more than 12,000 students and teachers. The report highlighted the occupation of school facilities, use of explosives, forced recruitment of minors and combat inside classrooms, and referenced historic data from the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) showing 18,677 children recruited by the FARC between 1971 and 2016. The JEP itself became a subject of political debate, with the incoming government considering its abolition despite its role in addressing decades‑long conflict atrocities. Later that month, the Colombian Defensoría del Pueblo released data for the first half of 2026, recording 74 cases of forced recruitment of children and adolescents. Boys comprised 65 % of victims, with notable representation of indigenous (28 %) and Afro‑Colombian (12 %) youths. The Central High Command of FARC dissidents, unidentified dissident factions, the ELN and the Central High Command of Blocks and Fronts were implicated. Cauca and Norte de Santander reported the highest numbers. Although the 2026 total was lower than the 419 cases recorded for all of 2025, officials warned that under‑reporting likely persists due to fear of retaliation. ## Timeline ### 2026-07-31: Colombia reports 74 child recruitment cases in first half of 2026 Colombia's Defensoría del Pueblo logged 74 child recruitment cases Jan‑Jun 2026, mainly in Cauca and Norte de Santander, with FARC dissident groups responsible for most incidents. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/colombia-reports-74-child-recruitment-cases-in-first-half-of-2026 ### 2026-07-22: Colombia conflict endangers schools and fuels debate over peace tribunal NRC reports over 12,000 Colombian students hit by school attacks in 2024, while JEP data shows 18,677 children forced recruited by FARC; the peace tribunal faces political debate. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/colombia-conflict-endangers-schools-and-fuels-debate-over-peace-tribunal --- Cite as: Colombia conflict and child recruitment. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/colombia-conflict-and-child-recruitment