From victims to perpetrators: children's participation as actors in the colombian armed conflict

Abstract

This article offers a retrospective and critical perspective on the situation of children and adolescents within the context of the Colombian armed conflict. It examines the historical events that gave rise to the conflict, as well as the various socio-political dynamics that have perpetuated its duration. The analysis focuses particularly on the devastating impact this conflict has had on the younger population, who have not only been direct victims of violence, but have also been co-opted by different armed groups, both legal and illegal, to fulfill roles within their organizational structures. The instrumentalization of these minors by armed actors has not only deprived them of their childhood and developmental opportunities, but in many cases, has transformed victims into perpetrators. This is especially evident in those who, after being recruited, were forced or persuaded to actively participate in military operations and other criminal activities. In this regard, the article highlights a deeply concerning phenomenon: the evolution of minors from innocent victims to active participants in the conflict, reproducing patterns of violence that perpetuate the war cycle. The text also underscores the complexity of this transformation, considering not only the coercive factors that drive their participation, but also the socio-cultural and psychological elements that influence the construction of their identity within these groups. With this approach, the aim is to provide a deeper understanding of the role that minors have played in the Colombian armed conflict, as well as the long-term implications for their social and emotional reintegration.