Colombia slaps lengthy prison sentences on rebels for recruiting children

Northern Ireland / 28 September 2026 The days of unionist ‘supremacy’ are gone, says Northern Ireland's First Minister 28 September 2026 Middle East / 28 September 2026 US accuses Iran of failing to negotiate ‘in good faith’ 28 September 2026 Militarism / 28 September 2026 Trump asked China’s President Xi if he wanted to buy US arms 28 September 2026 Europe / 28 September 2026 Swiss reject tighter neutrality rules in referendum 28 September 2026 Climate Crisis / 28 September 2026 Heavy rain and flooding in northern India kills at least 62 28 September 2026 Round-up / 28 September 2026 World in brief: September 28, 2026 28 September 2026 A JUDGE sentenced in absentia 11 commanders of Colombia’s largest remaining rebel group to prison on Monday for recruiting 60 children as young as eight into their ranks between 2004 and 2018.

The commanders of the National Liberation Army (ELN) were found guilty of recruiting boys and girls between the ages of eight and 17. 

Prosecutors said that some of the girls were sexually abused.

Sentences handed to the rebel leaders ranged from 11 years to 20 years in prison. Some of them recently participated in peace talks with Colombia’s government.

The trial was conducted in absentia because the commanders haven���t been captured by Colombia’s government.

One of the leaders who was convicted, Israel Ramirez Pineda, also known by the alias Pablo Beltran, recently led a delegation that held peace talks with Colombia’s government.

The government canceled peace talks with the ELN last year after the group staged a string of attacks in the north-eastern Catatumbo region in which at least 80 people were killed. 

Human rights groups have pointed out that the recruitment of children by rebel groups and gangs in Colombia continues to be a problem.

According to Colombia’s Human Rights Defenders’ Office, at least 1,500 children have been recruited by armed groups since 2021, with 625 cases reported in 2024. 

Latin America / 14 August 2026 Dark days for Colombia as Bogota turns hard right 14 August 2026 The disputed election of a far-right president, who is also a US citizen, signals further consolidation of Washington’s regional power and represents a threat to the country’s democracy and sovereignty, writes WT WHITNEY JNR

Latin America / 11 August 2026 Colombia continues the search for its missing after powerful quake kills at least 169 11 August 2026 Latin America / 21 July 2026 Colombia's Petro calls on supporters to defend economic reforms 21 July 2026 Latin America / 25 November 2025 What now for the future of Colombia? 25 November 2025 With Petro, Colombia has been making huge strides towards peace — but is all that at risk with the elections next year? MARK ROWE reports back after joining a delegation to the Latin American country