Bogota - Colombia's defence minister yesterday accused left-wing guerrillas of committing genocide by recruiting children into their forces. Speaking at a reception for 41 of 50 juvenile guerrillas who were pardoned by the government after deserting, Mr Luis Fernando Ramirez also called for private aid to help rehabilitate teenaged former fighters.
Officials have said the 13to 17-year-olds, who deserted from the Marxist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, would be enrolled in educational programs and returned to their families, along with government aid to improve their quality of life.