Colombian judge lifts ban on govt strikes against guerrillas

On Wednesday, a Colombian judge lifted a ban on airstrikes against guerrilla camps, which had been suspended to protect minors. The ruling could lead to renewed attacks on guerrilla camps, with President Abelardo de la Espriella ordering a series of such assaults to combat armed groups in the country.

Since President Espriella took office in August, six minors have been killed in bombings across the nation, according to the national forensics authority. On September 2, a Bogota court temporarily halted all airstrikes against rebel camps throughout Colombia.

The judge's decision allows for the resumption of airstrikes, but with a heightened standard of precaution when there is credible, objective, or reasonably verifiable evidence that children are present. The operations remain suspended in the Amazonian Guaviare department until a separate regional judge rules on the matter.

Nonetheless, rights groups express concern that armed groups are increasingly recruiting children and teenagers through sophisticated social media campaigns. Colombia's ombudsman reported 428 cases of child recruitment by these groups in the previous year. Minors have also lost their lives in bombings conducted by previous administrations under leftist Gustavo Petro and right-winger Ivan Duque.