 "Colombian president Gustavo Petro speaks during the General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York City on September 23, 2025. Colombia's President Gustavo Petro called at the UN General Assembly Tuesday for a \"criminal process\" to be opened against counterpart Donald Trump for US strikes on alleged drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean. (Photo by Leonardo MUNOZ / AFP)")
Six minors were killed this week during Colombian military airstrikes on an alleged drug-running armed group in the southern Amazon, the country’s ombudsman’s office said on Saturday.
Iris Marin, the ombudsman, told reporters that “six minors who had been victims of forced recruitment” died in the operation. The strikes were ordered by President Gustavo Petro as he faces US pressure to intensify action against drug trafficking.
On Tuesday, Colombia’s military said it carried out airstrikes in the Amazon on November 10, killing 19 members of an ex-FARC splinter group. A defence ministry source also told AFP that nine suspected guerrilla fighters were killed in separate strikes in Arauca, near the Venezuelan border.
The operations come as Petro steps up attacks on armed groups involved in cocaine trafficking after heavy criticism from US President Donald Trump, who has accused him of failing to curb drug production.
Local media reported that authorities are investigating whether the Amazon strike also killed Antonio Medina, a senior rebel commander linked to a violent conflict between ex-FARC factions and the ELN.
Petro, a former guerrilla, has faced growing criticism and US sanctions over what opponents call a reluctance to target cocaine-producing groups. In October, Washington imposed unprecedented sanctions on Petro, his wife, son, and a top aide, accusing them of enabling drug cartels — though it provided no evidence directly tying Petro to trafficking.
Since taking office in 2022, Petro had favoured negotiations with armed groups over direct confrontation. He cannot run for president again, but the mounting criticism threatens to hurt his political allies in next year’s elections.