Colombia continues to grapple with the troubling issue of teenage assassins, a legacy of its violent past highlighted by the notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar, who once used child hitmen for his criminal operations. Recently, a 15-year-old was apprehended for allegedly firing at presidential candidate Miguel Uribe during a rally in Bogotá. This shocking incident has stirred memories of a time marked by extensive political violence, including assassinations and kidnappings.
Authorities suspect the young shooter was hired to carry out the attack, although the identity of the mastermind behind the shooting remains unclear. Following the incident, the teenager expressed a willingness to assist law enforcement, indicating he was instructed by someone within the local drug-trafficking community, often referred to as “olla.”
Experts like Matthew Charles, who heads the Mi Historia foundation focused on vulnerable youth, affirm that employing minors for such violent acts is unfortunately not uncommon in Colombia. This ongoing issue presents a significant challenge for both social programs and law enforcement efforts in the country.
The situation calls for renewed attention to addressing the root causes of violence and the exploitation of youth in criminal activities. With ongoing efforts from organizations and government initiatives, there is hope for a path towards reducing the influence of drug-related violence and rehabilitating vulnerable young people caught in these cycles of crime.