Colombia Faces Rise in Teenage Hitmen Decades After Escobar’s Reign
Colombia continues to grapple with the issue of teenage assassins decades after Pablo Escobar’s reign. Recently, a 15-year-old was arrested for allegedly attempting to kill presidential candidate Miguel Uribe. An alarming trend reveals that minors, often from impoverished backgrounds, are being recruited by criminal gangs, echoing the violence of the past. These alarming developments prompt discussions about societal and economic remedies.
Bogotá, Colombia — A chilling echo from the past is reverberating through Colombia as the nation grapples with the disturbing trend of using teenage assassins. This issue, which became starkly apparent during Pablo Escobar’s reign in the 1980s, resurfaces in tragic fashion, illustrated by the arrest of a 15-year-old boy for allegedly attempting to kill presidential candidate Miguel Uribe at a rally in Bogotá. The situation reflects a notorious period marked by violence, assassinations, and widespread fear.
Authorities believe the teenager was contracted to carry out the hit on Uribe, who is still in critical condition but showing signs of improvement. While the investigation continues, there has been no confirmation of who orchestrated the attack. The young suspect has expressed a willingness to cooperate with the police, claiming he was commanded by a figure in the local drug-dealing community, referred to as the “olla.”
This practice of recruiting minors for violent acts is not an aberration in Colombia, but a troubling continuation of a grim tradition, noted Matthew Charles, head of the Mi Historia foundation that advocates for vulnerable youth. It appears that the cycle of violence is being perpetuated as criminal groups exploit the dire economic conditions faced by families in impoverished areas. “They are seeking quick solutions because there is no food on the table at their homes at night,” Charles lamented.
The issue is multifaceted. Gangs, often made up of drug cartels or armed groups, prefer to enlist children because they can be more easily manipulated into engaging in criminal activities. A report from UNICEF and the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare highlights that over 530 minors were coerced into working for organized crime between 2020 and 2022, often serving as lookouts or even active combatants. On average, these children are about 13 to 14 years old.
In 2022 alone, more than 140 minors were recruited, as per an additional report from ONCA, illustrating the alarming rate at which youngsters are becoming involved in crime in Colombia. The lure of quick money—ranging from $50 to $500 per victim—is enticing, especially in a nation where about one-third of the population lives in poverty. Yet, many end up being deceived, reportedly not receiving the payments they were promised.
Furthermore, the influence of drugs cannot be ignored. Astrid Caceres from the ICBF mentioned that some armed organizations pressure children into compliance under the influence of psychoactive substances. This issue of juvenile crime has escalated, with approximately 5,000 children aged 14 to 17 entering the criminal justice system in 2024 alone, according to the justice ministry.
The transformation of minors into hitmen is a long-standing strategy—one that preys on their vulnerabilities, as noted by criminal lawyer Francisco Bernate who asserts it is an “old custom” in Colombia. As these juveniles are generally not seen as fully responsible for their actions, the legal system offers significantly lighter sentences, capping their confinement to no more than eight years.
Instead of conventional jails, these minors are placed in specialized rehabilitation centers, where they receive training and attempts at reintegration into society. Meanwhile, the alleged shooter in the Uribe incident is currently protected along with his family as investigations continue. This tragic affair dredges up memories of Colombia’s violent past under Escobar, who orchestrated numerous political killings, leaving a lasting scar on the nation’s history.
Historian Jorge Cardona recounted dark events from this violent era, referencing the sad fate of youth drawn into this cycle of violence. He noted the grim outcomes—hundreds of lives lost and many young perpetrators who faced tragic ends themselves, underscoring the need for awareness and action to combat this ongoing issue successfully.
The situation in Colombia highlights a disturbing trend where teenage hitmen are being increasingly used in violent crime, a regression to a dark past influenced by figures such as Pablo Escobar. The alarming recruitment of minors from impoverished backgrounds into criminal activities is perpetuated by economic hardship and manipulation from armed groups. As the recent attempt on Miguel Uribe’s life reveals, this issue continues to entwine the fabric of Colombian society, urging authorities to find long-term solutions to deter young individuals from such devastating paths.
Original Source: manilastandard.net
