Protesters in Colombia have been observed using children as “human shields” during confrontations with the police in Bogota. The disturbing incidents involved protesters carrying young children towards police lines amid violent clashes in the Colombian capital.
Witnesses reported protesters pulling children to the front line as riot police advanced during the demonstration. Images captured a small child clinging to an adult amid the chaos of thrown objects. Other children were either pushed or guided forward by protesters as they faced off with Colombia’s public order unit. Several youngsters were seen fleeing in fear as they were removed from the chaotic front lines.
The clashes erupted when protesters, including members of Colombia’s indigenous Emberá group, blocked the Interior Ministry and allegedly trapped over 1,200 government officials inside for hours. Interior Minister Armando Benedetti condemned the situation as severe, labeling the confinement of ministry workers as “kidnapping.”
Riot police were eventually deployed to disperse the demonstrators and allow the trapped workers to evacuate. Tear gas was utilized to create safe exit routes as protesters hurled objects at law enforcement. The presence of children constrained the police response, leading to the implementation of special procedures to prevent harm to minors.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro decried the disturbing scenes depicted in protest videos, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the well-being of children in society. Authorities confirmed that an ambulance was dispatched to attend to an injured adult during the protests. The demonstration stemmed from grievances raised by Indigenous communities regarding alleged government failures in various areas, including support for their communities.
Amid the intervention, one Emberá child was reportedly affected and received medical attention. Protest groups have been staging demonstrations in Bogota for weeks, demanding accountability on issues concerning children, adolescents, humanitarian assistance, and the safeguarding of their territories. Gustavo Quintero, Bogota’s government secretary, highlighted the need for caution during the operation due to the presence of vulnerable individuals, noting that minors were seemingly exploited as “protective shields,” complicating the authorities’ response.
The Colombian Family Welfare Institute (ICBF) lodged a complaint over the alleged use of children during the protest. ICBF director Astrid Caceres condemned the exploitation of children, offering shelter, food, and accommodations for the minors, while urging the adults to continue their protest separately, which was reportedly declined. The Attorney General’s Office and ICBF collaborated to safeguard the rights of the children present during the demonstration.