Colombia Struggles with the Rise of Teenage Hitmen Decades After Escobar

Colombia continues to grapple with the troubling legacy of child hitmen, decades after Pablo Escobar’s reign. A recent assassination attempt on presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe by a 15-year-old boy reveals ongoing exploitation of minors in violent crime. Reports show a significant rise in recruitment of children by organized crime, as economic desperation drives them to join gangs for money. Despite the legal system’s attempt to reassess juvenile crimes, the cycle of violence and poverty remains a significant issue in the country.

Bogotá, Colombia — The shadow of Pablo Escobar looms large in Colombia, even decades after the infamous drug lord used child hitmen to carry out violent acts. Recently, a 15-year-old was arrested for allegedly shooting presidential candidate Miguel Uribe at a rally in Bogotá, echoing the dark history filled with killings, kidnappings, and bombings that has plagued the South American country.

Authorities suspect the teenager was hired to commit the crime, though they are still trying to identify the individual who orchestrated the attack on the 39-year-old senator, who remains in critical condition. Fortunately, doctors report some signs of improvement in Uribe’s health. The teenager hopes to cooperate with law enforcement and mentioned taking orders from someone within the “olla,” a term used for drug-infested neighborhoods.

In a troubling context, experts assert that using minors this way is distressingly common throughout Colombia. Matthew Charles, director of the Mi Historia Foundation focused on at-risk youth, confirmed this to Agence France Presse. Just days earlier, a second accomplice was charged with attempted murder, as he allegedly supplied the weapon used in the assassination attempt.

Much like the era of Escobar, vulnerable youths from impoverished backgrounds are drawn into this deadly life with the allure of easy money. “They are seeking fast solutions since there’s often no food available at home,” Charles pointed out. Meanwhile, criminal organizations see these minors as expendable, easily manipulated to serve their purposes.

A report by UNICEF and the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare (ICBF) revealed that roughly 530 children were recruited by organized crime from 2020 to 2022 for various roles, including lookouts and fighters. Most were between the ages of 13 and 14, hailing from disadvantaged, conflict-stricken regions.

The ONCA agency reported that 142 minors joined criminal organizations in just the first half of last year. Financial incentives can be significant, with young hitmen promised between $50 and $500 per victim — a substantial sum for those with few job prospects. However, Charles stresses that these youths are often deceived and do not receive their promised payments.

Economic hardship manifests starkly in Colombia, where about one-third of the population lives in poverty. In some tragic cases, armed groups exploit children further by involving them in drug use before coercing them into violence, according to ICBF director Astrid Caceres.

The concerning trend of recruiting kids as hitmen, described by criminal lawyer Francisco Bernate as an “old custom,” takes advantage of their already marginalized existence. Science supports the notion that minors often lack a full understanding of the consequences of their actions, leading to lighter sentences; typically, those under 18 cannot be imprisoned for more than eight years.

Instead of jail, minors are directed to specialized centers where they receive rehabilitation. In light of the assassination attempt on Uribe, the alleged shooter and his family have moved into witness protection as investigations continue.

The specter of past violence is hard to evade. It recalls a grim history, particularly the assassinations of four presidential candidates during Escobar’s reign. Journalist Jorge Cardona, who wrote “Dias de Memoria” about the violence of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, shared a haunting story of a 16-year-old who fatally shot a leftist presidential candidate in 1990, only to die years later himself—a chilling reflection of a cycle of violence that persists to this day.

The issue of child hitmen in Colombia continues to reflect the deeply rooted social and economic challenges facing the nation. Despite decades passing since Escobar’s regime, young individuals are still being exploited for their desperate circumstances. As the investigation into the recent assassination attempt unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of a violent past that has not been fully resolved. Authorities, communities, and organizations must come together to tackle this crisis and provide viable alternatives for at-risk youth.

Original Source: manilastandard.net