MEP Irene Montero (The Left) Presses Commission on Child Recruitment as Non-Negotiable in Colombia Peace Talks

MEP Irene Montero (The Left) has asked the European Commission whether it will make an immediate end to child recruitment a non-negotiable condition in EU-supported dialogue processes with armed groups in Colombia, as the practice has quadrupled over the past five years according to UNICEF. The question, submitted on 8 April 2026, targets the EU's role as an observer in peace talks and seeks concrete measures to ensure Member States convey a coherent message on this issue.

Montero's written question (E-001425/2026) follows a previous exchange: in a reply to her earlier question (E-001758/2025), the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative stated that combating child recruitment is an EU priority, raised in bilateral dialogues and addressed through prevention and protection projects. However, Montero notes that the crime is rising, disproportionately affecting Indigenous peoples. The Regional Indigenous Council of Cauca documented 838 cases in its territories from January 2022 to December 2025, estimating the actual figure could be four times higher due to under-reporting.

Politically, Montero's initiative pushes for a harder line in EU foreign policy, prioritising child protection over maintaining dialogue with armed groups. This reflects a cleavage between human rights conditionality and diplomatic pragmatism. The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks; its answer will signal whether the EU is willing to make child recruitment a red line in Colombia peace processes, potentially affecting the EU's relationship with the Colombian government and armed groups, as well as the credibility of its human rights commitments. Key stakeholders impacted include child victims and Indigenous communities, the Colombian government, armed groups, and EU Member States involved in dialogue observation.