Perspectivas del reclutamiento de menores de edad en el municipio de Cáceres Antioquia

Abstract

The armed conflict in Colombia, with over 50 years of persistence, has shaped dynamics of "criminal governance" in strategic regions such as Bajo Cauca in Antioquia. In the municipality of Cáceres, the convergence of illicit economies such as gold mining and coca cultivation, along with institutional weakness, has facilitated illegal groups replacing state power, directly affecting the human rights of the civilian population. By analyzing the socioeconomic and territorial factors affecting the territory, we have been able to address the recruitment of children and adolescents in the municipality of Cáceres, identifying the perception of young people regarding voluntary or forced involvement with illegal armed groups. A mixed approach with a descriptive-propositional design and an inductive method was employed for this purpose. The sample consisted of 83 high school students from the Monseñor Gerardo Patiño Educational Institution. A structured survey of 13 items was applied, combining quantitative and qualitative variables to assess the perception of risk and the causes of involvement in the conflict. The findings reveal that the respondents are aware of the recruitment and report nearby cases. The perception of recruitment as a "voluntary" act motivated mainly by economic precariousness and the influence of close social networks predominates. It is concluded that prevention requires comprehensive public policies that transcend military security, focusing on strengthening the life project thru quality education, formal employment, and psychosocial support from the school environment.