Colombian judge lifts ban on govt strikes against guerrillas

On Wednesday, a Colombian judge overturned a ban on airstrikes against guerrillas, which had been suspended to safeguard minors. The decision was reported by AFP and could now allow for strikes on guerrilla camps, albeit with "a reinforced standard of precaution" when there is objective information about the presence of children recruited by the rebels.

President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office in August, has pledged to eliminate the country's armed groups. However, six minors have been killed in bombings that occurred since his inauguration, according to the national forensics authority.

On September 2, a Bogota court had temporarily halted airstrikes against rebel camps throughout Colombia, as documented by AFP. The ruling now permits attacks with heightened caution if there is clear evidence of minors being recruited by guerrillas, it stated.

However, operations remain suspended in the Amazonian Guaviare department until a regional judge issues a separate ruling. Human rights groups have expressed concern that children and teenagers are being increasingly recruited by armed groups through persuasive social media campaigns.

Colombia's ombudsman reported 428 instances of child recruitment by these groups last year. In addition, minors also perished in bombings conducted by previous administrations under leftist Gustavo Petro and right-wing leader Ivan Duque.