Armed groups in Colombia are increasingly recruiting children and training them to carry out dangerous tasks, including operating drones equipped with explosives, according to a new report by Human Rights Watch.
The international rights organization said criminal and rebel groups are using social media to attract children as they compete for control of rural areas where they profit from drug trafficking, extortion and illegal mining.
Juanita Goebertus, Americas director at Human Rights Watch, said armed groups continue to recruit children with little accountability, while protection systems have struggled to stop the practice.
Child Recruitment Is Rising Again
Colombia’s Human Rights Defenders’ Office says armed groups have recruited at least 1,500 children since 2021. Authorities recorded 625 cases in 2024 alone.
Child recruitment declined after Colombia reached a peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, in 2016.
However, smaller rebel factions and criminal organizations have since fought for control of rural areas once dominated by FARC forces.
Weak law enforcement and limited access to social services in some communities have left children particularly vulnerable.
Children Used for Drone Operations
Armed groups in Colombia have historically forced children to perform roles such as carrying messages, gathering intelligence, preparing food and interacting with rival groups.
Human Rights Watch says their roles are now expanding to include drone operations.
Some rebel groups use drones carrying explosives to attack rival organizations and target police or military positions.
The organization said it verified social media videos showing children operating drones fitted with explosives. Researchers also interviewed child protection officials who work with children who escaped armed groups or left them through demobilization programs.
Some children reportedly described drone operations as a game because armed groups presented the activity that way.
Drone Attacks Are Increasing
Colombia’s Human Rights Defenders’ Office reported that armed groups carried out 121 drone attacks during the first five months of this year.
Those attacks killed 21 people and injured 145 others, according to the organization.
The increasing use of drones has added a new dimension to Colombia’s long-running armed conflict.
Social Media Used for Recruitment
Human Rights Watch also identified dozens of social media accounts that appeared to glorify life inside rebel groups.
The organization said the material can make armed groups appear attractive to young people, particularly in communities where economic opportunities are limited.
Human Rights Watch raised concerns about content appearing on platforms such as Meta and TikTok.
The organization said some platform algorithms appeared to promote material encouraging children to join rebel groups.
Meta and TikTok told Human Rights Watch that their policies prohibit content promoting violence. Both companies also said they had removed accounts flagged by the organization.
Indigenous Children Face High Risk
Human Rights Watch found that Indigenous children are disproportionately affected.
Nearly half of the child recruitment cases recorded by Colombian authorities since 2021 involved Indigenous children, according to the organization’s analysis.
Indigenous people represent about 4% of Colombia’s population.
Girls also accounted for around 40% of recruited children, highlighting the broad impact of recruitment on young people across affected communities.
Calls for Stronger Protection
Human Rights Watch urged the Colombian government to devote more resources to investigating and prosecuting armed groups that recruit children.
The organization also called for stronger prevention programs in rural communities, where children face greater risks of recruitment.
It urged social media companies to make it easier for users to report child recruitment content and preserve relevant evidence for law enforcement.
The Colombian government had not immediately responded to the report.
The findings highlight how Colombia’s armed conflict continues to evolve, with children now facing not only traditional forms of exploitation but also involvement in increasingly sophisticated drone warfare.
