What compels a ten-year-old child to become a combatant? What desperation, deprivation, or ideology can extinguish the innocence of youth, sow the seeds of violence, and usher in an era of bloodshed? This episode delves into the heart of Colombia’s Thousand Days’ War, exposing the exploitation of child soldiers as a resource in a brutal conflict and examining the profound psychological scars inflicted upon their young lives. We will explore the origins of this tragedy, seeking to understand the factors that drove these children to bear arms prematurely, and consider the grim future that awaits them beyond the battlefield. Before we begin, we invite you to share your perspectives: what motivates a child to take up arms? And to support our investigation, please like this video and subscribe to our channel for the latest updates.

The Thousand Days’ War: A Crucible of Conflict

The Thousand Days’ War was not merely a conflict, but a crucible that shaped modern Colombia. Beginning on October 17, 1899, and lasting until November 21, 1902, these years of hardship claimed the lives of nearly one hundred thousand Colombians, approximately 2.5% of the population. More than just a series of battles, it was a fierce struggle between liberals and conservatives, fueled by political and economic tensions that had been building since the 1886 constitution. The scale of destruction was immense, with battles like Palonegro leaving rivers of blood. The United States even intervened, further exacerbating the conflict and ultimately contributing to the independence of Panama. The war concluded with the signing of the Wisconsin Agreement aboard an American warship, but it left behind a devastated nation and dire social and economic conditions, paving the way for new movements in the early twentieth century.

The Scars of Conflict: Why Children?

In Colombia, a nation marked by enduring conflict, the Thousand Days’ War remains a deep scar on the collective psyche. This wound continues to fester as violence extends its reach, stealing the innocence of children and transforming their formative years into an unending nightmare. The question of why children are targeted resonates with particular poignancy, revealing a harsh reality. Between 1985 and 2016 alone, over 18,000 children were forcibly recruited into armed groups, according to data from the National Center for Historical Memory. However, the underlying causes extend beyond mere statistics. Extreme poverty, a pervasive issue in marginalized rural areas such as Chocó and Boyacá, where rates exceeded 60%, played a significant role. For these vulnerable youth, forced recruitment offered a desperate, albeit false, promise of sustenance and shelter in a world that had abandoned them. The lack of educational opportunities further compounded the tragedy. Children unable to complete their primary education were easily exploited by extremist armed groups, who capitalized on their vulnerability and lack of alternatives. In remote, ungoverned regions, armed groups exploited this vacuum, making child recruitment a routine practice. Indigenous communities were disproportionately affected, with higher recruitment rates driven by armed groups’ exploitation of their intimate knowledge of the terrain.

Tragic Pawns: Children on the Front Lines

During the Thousand Days’ War, children were not simply innocent bystanders, but tragic pawns manipulated in a bloody power struggle. They were forced to bear arms, finding themselves on the front lines where death and injury were constant threats. Their small stature, which should have symbolized innocence, was instead exploited as an advantage, allowing them to operate as scouts and informants for armed groups operating in the dense Colombian forests. These atrocities were not limited to boys. Girls, who should have been dreaming of dolls and schools, were relegated to support roles, from cooking and cleaning to more dangerous tasks such as espionage and ammunition transport. Some were even subjected to sexual enslavement, reduced to mere objects in this brutal conflict. A United Nations report paints a stark picture, revealing the recruitment of over six thousand children between 1985 and 2016. These figures, while staggering, mask the individual stories of horror. Stories of children forced to kill family members or community members as part of gruesome loyalty rituals designed to eradicate any semblance of humanity. Stories of brutal amputations as punishment for minor infractions.

The Invisible Wounds: Psychological Trauma

Beyond the battlefield lies another, equally devastating front: the profound psychological trauma endured by these children. Estimates indicate that four out of ten child soldiers suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, a rate significantly higher than the general population, as memories of violence, death, and loss haunt their waking hours and dreams. A 2010 study revealed that over 60% of former combatants suffer from chronic depression and anxiety. UNICEF confirms that child recruitment leaves deep and lasting psychological scars, hindering their ability to reintegrate into society. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission documented instances of children being forced to commit atrocities against their own families, leaving them with indelible feelings of guilt and shame. Research from the University of Los Andes revealed the practice of forcibly drugging children to ensure their compliance. “Even after years, I still see the faces of those I killed in my dreams,” recounts Juan, a former combatant, in an interview with El Tiempo newspaper. Doctors Without Borders warns that psychological reintegration programs are often inadequate, leading to tragically high suicide rates. The specter of war continues to haunt them long after the fighting ceases.

A Lost Generation: The Consequences for Colombia

Colombian society continues to grapple with the consequences of a lost generation. According to COALICO, over 18,000 children were recruited into armed groups between 1985 and 2016, becoming fuel for a seemingly endless war. These young people, who should have been in school, found themselves bearing arms in the depths of the jungle. The University of Los Andes revealed that these children were often assigned extremely dangerous tasks, such as planting mines and conducting espionage, becoming expendable tools in a brutal conflict. The danger extended beyond the risk of death to the loss of childhood itself, a fundamental right that was stolen from them. It is estimated that 60% of these children came from impoverished and marginalized families, a vulnerability that armed groups exploited for recruitment purposes. This was not a choice, but a desperate necessity imposed by circumstance. Extreme poverty, the absence of state authority, and the lack of opportunities all contributed to pushing them into the arms of violence. The Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) recognized child recruitment as a war crime in 2017, but this recognition alone cannot restore the years that were lost. Leila Zerrougui, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, described child recruitment as a stain on humanity, a stain that will continue to haunt Colombia for generations to come.

Reintegration: A Path to Healing

Reintegration? An arduous task, but not insurmountable. In 2016, a new era dawned in Colombia with the historic peace agreement between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), offering a glimmer of hope after more than half a century of conflict that had drained the nation’s resources and claimed countless lives. However, true peace requires more than just agreements; it demands sustained effort and unwavering commitment. Thousands of children, whose childhoods had been stolen and replaced by the horrors of war, desperately needed a second chance: a chance to heal, to forget, and, most importantly, to build a new future filled with hope. The Colombian Agency for Reintegration and Normalization (ARN) serves as a beacon of hope in this challenging landscape. The agency provides comprehensive and integrated programs, ranging from psychosocial support to address deep-seated trauma to educational opportunities that illuminate pathways to the future. Literacy programs and accelerated education initiatives help to compensate for years of lost learning. Crucially, vocational training programs equip them with the skills necessary to build sustainable and dignified lives. Agriculture, animal husbandry, and handicrafts provide opportunities for self-sufficiency and economic independence. Effective partnerships with local businesses and organizations open doors to employment, enabling them to become active and contributing members of their communities.

The International Response: A Global Responsibility

The international community has also responded to this tragedy. In 2002, the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child entered into force, setting the minimum age for voluntary recruitment at 16 years. However, this was not enough. UNICEF estimates that since 2000, over 100,000 children have been released from armed groups, but tens of thousands remain in service. The International Criminal Court considers the recruitment of children under the age of 15 a war crime and has issued significant sentences in related cases. For example, Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, a Congolese militia leader, was convicted of recruiting and deploying child soldiers and sentenced to 14 years in prison. The Paris Principles and Commitments provide guidance for the protection of children affected by conflict and have been adopted by over 100 countries. In 2017, the United Nations launched the Children, Not Soldiers campaign, aimed at ending the recruitment of children by government forces. Despite ongoing challenges, the campaign has made progress in countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo.