The violence and forced recruitment of minors by illegal armed groups in Colombia have reached alarming levels. According to recent reports, children who refuse to join these organizations face deadly reprisals, particularly those from Christian communities.
The international organization Open Doors ranked Colombia 46th on its 2025 World Watch List of countries with the highest levels of Christian persecution. According to its report, “Guerrilla groups in Colombia often target Christians in their territories, especially if they consider Christians to be opposed to the ‘business’ of their associated drug cartels.” The report further emphasizes, “Church leaders are particularly at risk because they try to influence the young people whom the guerrilla groups want to recruit.”
These groups closely monitor churches to ensure their teachings do not interfere with their operations. Churches that denounce forced recruitment or provide support programs for at-risk youth—such as those combating addiction or sexual exploitation—often become targets of violence.
For Christian girls, the dangers are even greater. In addition to forced recruitment, they face a higher risk of sexual violence. “Sometimes the men in these groups fall in love with the girls from the churches and, because they believe them to be purer or more innocent, they go after them,” says Pastor Salomón.
In 2024, Colombia’s Ombudsman’s Office registered 282 cases of forced recruitment of minors, highlighting a serious violation of children’s rights in the country.
Indigenous communities are particularly vulnerable, accounting for more than half of the victims of forced recruitment. A spokesperson for the Ombudsman’s Office stated, “Indigenous communities are disproportionately affected, accounting for at least 50% of the victims.”
One case exemplifying this crisis is that of a young Christian man whose father reported that armed groups attempted to kidnap his son. When he refused, he was killed. The father, in statements collected by Puertas Abiertas, said, “They had already sentenced him. We didn’t report it because they warned the community not to talk about it with anyone.”
On Dec. 24, 2024, another tragic incident shook the country when the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) murdered a 15-year-old boy in El Plateado after he refused to join the group. The case underscored the brutality with which these organizations impose their will on local communities.
Illegal armed groups in Colombia often lure young people with deceptive promises of excitement, money, and better living conditions. Once minors join, escaping becomes nearly impossible. Those who refuse to participate in activities such as armed training or forced labor are often forced to flee their communities under the threat of death.
Even young children are indoctrinated in schools where teachers have ties to these groups. Recruited minors are absorbed into paramilitary forces, while others form gangs that control society. This is the case in Buenaventura, where the Christian community lives in fear, as reported by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.
In response to the crisis, Puertas Abiertas has committed to providing comprehensive support to affected Christian families in Colombia. Through humanitarian assistance, emotional and spiritual support, and pastoral care, the organization seeks to help these communities overcome the challenges of violence and rebuild their lives in a safer environment. Additionally, as reported by Diario Cristiano, the Church continues to develop strategies to rescue young people from addiction, including drug use.
However, it is up to the international community and Colombian authorities to face the challenge of implementing effective measures to protect minors and ensure their fundamental rights are respected, putting an end to these inhumane practices that continue to affect the country’s most vulnerable populations.
Originally published by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.
