At least 17 minors have reportedly died in recent Colombian military operations targeting armed groups,raising concerns about President Gustavo Petro‘s escalating offensive and prompting calls for a halt to airstrikes [[1]]. The deaths, confirmed by both the government and the national human rights ombudsman, involve children allegedly recruited by criminal organizations operating in regions like Guaviare and Amazonas [[2]], [[3]]. President Petro is now facing scrutiny for a shift in policy, given his past criticism of similar operations resulting in civilian casualties.
At least 17 minors have been reported killed in recent military operations in Colombia, prompting renewed scrutiny of President Gustavo Petro’s strategy to combat armed groups. The rising death toll, confirmed by both the government and the country’s human rights ombudsman, comes as Petro defends continued airstrikes despite past criticism of such tactics.
President Petro detailed the reported deaths on X, formerly known as Twitter, including seven previously known fatalities from a November 10, 2025, bombing in Guaviare. The ombudsman’s office subsequently reported four additional deaths in a separate bombing in Amazonas on October 1, 2025, bringing the total to 17.
According to Petro’s accounting, the deaths occurred in the following locations and dates:
– One minor died in a bombing in Arauca, date unspecified.
– Four minors were killed in Caquetá on October 1, 2025.
– Seven minors died in Guaviare on November 10, 2025.
– One minor was killed in Arauca on November 13.
“All of them victims of forced recruitment by criminals who have led them into hostilities and deprived them of protection within those hostilities,” Petro stated in his post. All of the operations targeted dissidents linked to a commander known as Iván Mordisco.
The ombudsman’s report of four deaths in Puerto Santander, Amazonas, on October 1 was not included in Petro’s initial tally. The case highlights the challenges in quickly and comprehensively verifying information in conflict zones.
Iris Marín, the human rights ombudsman, has called for a suspension of the bombings, but Petro has indicated they will continue, asserting that military actions will be conducted in accordance with International Humanitarian Law.
Petro’s stance has drawn criticism given his previous strong opposition to bombings that resulted in the deaths of recruited children, at one point comparing justifying such deaths to the 6,402 extrajudicial killings committed during the “false positives” scandal. The shift underscores the complex political calculations facing Petro as he attempts to address ongoing security challenges.
