# ICBF child protection in Colombian armed conflict

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/icbf-child-protection-in-colombian-armed-conflict
> Updated: 2026-09-09T16:16:32.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Carolina Restrepo, director of the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare (ICBF), has addressed the challenges of protecting minors recruited by armed groups. She emphasized that while children involved in these organizations must be treated as victims, this status should not impede military operations against the groups responsible for recruitment. Restrepo advocated for a focus on prevention and early intervention, stating that “childhood must be protected from the criminal, never turned into the protection of the criminal.”

Following these policy stances, the ICBF activated a rights restoration process for two minors in Riohacha. This intervention occurred after a police operation targeting Nain Andrés Pérez Toncel, also known as ‘Bendito Menor’, the leader of the Las Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la Sierra Nevada (ACSN) group. Restrepo confirmed the institution will provide continuous monitoring and support for the minors while maintaining their confidentiality.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-09: ICBF protects two minors following Riohacha police operation

The ICBF has initiated a rights restoration process for two minors in Riohacha following a police operation against a leader of the ACSN criminal group.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/icbf-protects-two-minors-following-riohacha-police-operation

### 2026-09-06: ICBF Director addresses protection of minors recruited by armed groups

ICBF Director Carolina Restrepo stated that protecting minors recruited by armed groups must not hinder military operations against those criminal organizations.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/icbf-director-addresses-protection-of-minors-recruited-by-armed-groups

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Cite as: ICBF child protection in Colombian armed conflict. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/icbf-child-protection-in-colombian-armed-conflict