UN warns earthquake may increase child recruitment by armed groups in Colombia

The United Nations warned on Friday that the recent earthquake in Colombia could heighten the risk of child recruitment by armed groups in the departments of Chocó and Valle del Cauca. The tremor, which struck the western part of the country, has compounded existing vulnerabilities in regions already scarred by decades of conflict, leaving thousands of children out of school and without adequate protection.

UN officials said that displacement, loss of livelihoods and the disruption of education services caused by the quake create conditions that armed groups may exploit to enlist minors. In both Chocó and Valle del Cauca, many communities are still grappling with the aftermath of armed conflict, and the sudden increase in humanitarian needs could push families toward dangerous alternatives. The agency urged authorities and humanitarian actors to prioritize rapid restoration of schooling and protective measures to prevent the recruitment of children into violence.