# Drone-based attacks and child recruitment in Colombia

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/drone-based-attacks-and-regulation-in-colombia
> Updated: 2026-08-24T05:00:00.000Z. Sources: 48. Developments: 3.

Colombia continues to face escalating threats from drone-based attacks involving explosive devices. Recent incidents highlight the tactical use of this technology by FARC dissident groups. In Cajibío, Cauca, a soldier engaged an unidentified drone performing unauthorized flights over troop positions. In Rioblanco, Tolima, an attack on the 17th Infantry Battalion involving improvised explosive devices launched from drones resulted in minor injuries to a soldier. Tolima Governor Adriana Magali Matiz attributed these actions to FARC dissidents, stating they aim to “instill fear in the southern region of the department.” Authorities in these regions have responded by increasing surveillance and working to strengthen electronic interference systems to neutralize aerial threats.

Compounding the security crisis, Human Rights Watch has released a report titled ‘I Thought I’d Never See My Mom Again’, documenting a significant rise in child recruitment by armed groups. Since 2021, at least 1,500 minors have been recruited, with a notable increase in cases reported since 2023. The Cauca department remains a primary focus, accounting for over half of the documented cases.

Criminal organizations, including FARC dissidents, the ELN, and the Clan del Golfo, are increasingly utilizing social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok to target vulnerable youth. These groups use deceptive job offers and content that glorifies armed life—featuring weapons, money, and jewelry—to lure recruits. Researchers noted that platform algorithms may actively promote this content, expanding its reach. Once recruited, children are utilized for combat, intelligence gathering, and even piloting explosives-laden drones. The impact is particularly severe among indigenous communities, who comprise nearly half of the victims, and girls, who represent 40% of cases and face high risks of sexual violence. Recent data indicates FARC dissidents are responsible for 74% of recruitment cases, and more than 30% of those recruited are between the ages of 10 and 14.

## Claims

- At least 1,500 children have been recruited by armed groups in Colombia since 2021. (corroborated by 26 sources)
- Algorithms on platforms like Facebook and TikTok appear to promote content related to armed groups. (corroborated by 15 sources)
- Recruited children are being trained to pilot explosives-laden drones. (corroborated by 12 sources)
- Nearly half of the children affected by recruitment belong to indigenous communities. (corroborated by 12 sources)
- Criminal organizations are using social media to recruit children to assert control over rural areas. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- Armed groups in Colombia are recruiting children with impunity. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- Girls represent 40% of the recruitment cases and face sexual violence. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- FARC dissidents are responsible for 74% of the recruitment cases. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Social media platforms are not taking sufficient measures to moderate content used by illegal armed groups to recruit minors in Colombia. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Meta stated it is working to improve its strategy to combat recruitment on its platforms. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- 625 cases of child recruitment were reported in 2024. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-24: Colombia: Armed groups recruit children via social media, HRW warns

Human Rights Watch reports that at least 1,500 children have been recruited by armed groups in Colombia since 2021, with social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook facilitating recruitment.

45 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/colombia-armed-groups-increasingly-recruit-children-for-drone-warfare

### 2026-08-23: Colombia military faces rising drone-based attacks

Colombian military units in Cauca and Tolima are facing increased attacks involving drones used to drop explosives, a tactic attributed to FARC dissident groups.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/colombia-military-faces-rising-drone-based-attacks

### 2026-08-06: Colombia's Defense Ministry proposes comprehensive drone regulation bill

Colombia's defence minister introduced a draft law to regulate drones after 320 attacks, mainly in Cauca and surrounding regions, targeting both security and commercial use.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/colombias-defense-ministry-proposes-comprehensive-drone-regulation-bill

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Cite as: Drone-based attacks and child recruitment in Colombia. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/drone-based-attacks-and-regulation-in-colombia