UNICEF is saying that illegal armed groups in Colombia are recruiting far more children, with verified cases quadrupling in five years. On Thursday, UNICEF published a study saying that regional violence keeps rising and poor communities lack safe options. Official UN records show 116 verified cases in 2020 and 453 in 2024. UNICEF says the real number may be higher because families fear retaliation and stay silent. Violence continues despite the peace deal with the FARC. UNICEF says armed groups now fight for control in areas left behind. Poverty, weak schools, and limited services leave children exposed. Some join to survive. Others join after threats.
