The recent rescue of three minors stranded in the hands of illegal armed groups in Guaviare department highlights Colombian authorities’ concerns about the use of minors for criminal activities. El Espectador newspaper said the released children and adolescents were discovered during a series of joint operations between the military and national police that began early on Monday in the country’s southeast, where armed conflict has continued.
The operation was carried out as part of an offensive against FARC rebels led by Nestor Gregorio Vera Fernández, known as “Ivan Mordisco.” The intervention resulted in the deaths of around 25 people believed to be members of the armed group in question, according to information published by El Espectador. Colombian President Gustavo Petro confirmed this on his social network account.
In a press conference coordinated by the military command and the Ministry of Defense (transcribed by El Espectador and W Radio), a military spokesperson detailed that at least 19 people, believed to be members of the column commanded by “Ivan Mordisco”, died during the operation. This figure is only partial given the continuing conflict in the region. In addition, 11 rifles were seized, indicating a decline in the illegal organization’s firepower, El Espectador reported.
The operation is officially described as large-scale, with coordination between various branches of the public forces. Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez said the scale of the operation and the results achieved reflected the coercive nature of the intervention articulated between the military and police, stressing that the rescue of the minors demonstrated the state’s commitment to forced recruitment, one of the most serious charges committed by Bela Fernández’s rebels.
In addition to armed conflicts and rebel casualties, the Colombian government continues its bounty strategy to encourage the transmission of information regarding the location of “Iván Mordisco.” According to El Espectador, the bounty amounted to more than 1,100 euros, or 5 million pesos, with the aim of increasing pressure on remaining armed group leaders.
FARC dissidents under Bela Fernández are accused of a variety of crimes, including terrorism, murder of people under judicial and social protection, and acts against community leaders. Furthermore, the instrumentalization of minors and links to drug trafficking are among the documented charges against the organization, which maintains active armed fronts in areas such as Guaviare even after the FARC’s major demobilization.
El Espectador stressed that the neutralization and disarmament of these structures is a priority of Colombia’s national security agenda. Executive authorities condemned these groups’ acts of violence and the use of minors in armed labor, and stressed the importance of restoring territorial security and ensuring the protection of civilians from crimes arising from armed conflict.
Meanwhile, military and security operations continue in the area, as the carried out operation aims not only to arrest “Ivan Mordisco” but also to end the criminal activities of his subordinates. Government sources interviewed by El Espectador suggested that the intervention in Guaviare was part of a broader operational plan aimed at dismantling the core of the armed group that remained after the peace process with the FARC.
The next step in the government’s analysis is to persecute those responsible and dismantle their logistics and human resources networks. The strategy includes intelligence gathering, continued military presence, and coordinated legal action at various administrative and judicial levels, Defense Ministry officials explained to the media.
As reported by El Espectador, authorities maintain that the protection of minors remains a top priority as forced recruitment recurs in areas with a strong presence of illegal armed groups. Additionally, the impact of operations on human trafficking routes and dissident profiteering warrants continued assessment within national security strategies.
While investigations and operations continue, public opinion and human rights groups are closely monitoring government actions in Guaviare. El Espectador reports that the published preliminary balance reveals the status and final outcome of the operation, raising expectations for a new report, the details of which are expected to be published in the coming days.
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