Defense Ministry defends operation against Calarcá in which 3 minors were killed

La Silla VacíaIndependentCenter22 hr. ago

The Colombian Ministry of Defense, led by Minister Jorge Mora, defended a military operation conducted by the government of President Abelardo de la Espriella against the 'Calarcá' dissidents, which resulted in the deaths of three minors. The operation took place in El Retornado, Guaviare, targeting the Bloque Jorge Suárez Briceño, a faction of 'Calarcá'. According to information released by Medicina Legal, ten people were killed, including two minors aged 15 and one aged 16. Mora emphasized that the recruitment and use of minors in conflict constitutes a war crime under international humanitarian law. The operation was carried out jointly by the Armed Forces and the Police, resulting in ten individuals being neutralized, one captured, and significant weapons seized. The president supported the military actions against 'narcoterrorist groups', while critics argue that such operations often result in civilian casualties, particularly minors. Data from Medicina Legal indicates that during President Gustavo Petro’s administration, 62 minors died in similar operations, compared to 42 under President Iván Duque. The Defensoría reports 51 cases of forced recruitment of children across 20

Bias read (Center): While the article discusses a politically sensitive issue involving military action and child casualties, it presents both the government's defense of the operation and broader historical context regarding past administrations’ records. It includes quotes from officials supporting the operation and,