Colombia's human rights ombudsman challenges De la Espriella over display of bodies

Colombia's human rights ombudsman, Iris Marín, has taken issue with President Abelardo de la Espriella over the display of bodies during a recent military operation. This marks the first public conflict between the rights body and the government since the latter took office on August 7. Marín argued that the state and government should not compete to demonstrate which is more cruel or use armed groups to instill fear.

She emphasized that the dead should be respected and treated with dignity, stating that showing bodies as part of a public address is not normal. She affirmed that military force against illegal armed groups and population protection are constitutional duties. The footage showed President Espriella walking among the bodies of suspected FARC dissident fighters killed in Operation Azarías in Guaviare department.

The operation resulted in 23 deaths, with six captured and two minors recovered alive. The Colombia's interior minister defended the government's response, describing Marín's criticism as a "sad mistake" and maintaining that the ombudsman's office is an institutional ally. Marín called on the government to reconsider its communication of operational results, noting that early warnings have already highlighted the use of drones, recruitment, and territorial expansion by armed groups.

The president reiterated his commitment to fighting perceived terrorists and dismissed the criticism. The issue has also arisen in a separate judicial case, where a court ordered the government to refrain from air strikes if evidence suggests children have been recruited. The ombudsman's office has recorded 1,173 cases of minors affected by forced recruitment between 2024 and July 2026.