Colombia judge lifts ban on airstrikes on guerrillas

A Colombian judge has lifted a temporary ban on airstrikes against guerrilla camps, allowing operations to resume with caution under a reinforced precaution standard.

The ruling says attacks may proceed when there is certain, objective or reasonably verifiable information about the presence of children or adolescents recruited by guerrillas. Operations remain suspended in the Amazonian department of Guaviare until a regional judge rules in a separate case.

A Bogota court had ordered the nationwide temporary suspension of airstrikes on September 2. The measure followed concerns over the deaths of minors in bombings since newly appointed President Abelardo de la Espriella took office in August.

Colombia's national forensics authority said six minors have been killed in those bombings. De la Espriella has ordered attacks on guerrilla camps as part of a campaign against the country's armed groups.

Rights groups warn that armed groups are increasingly recruiting children and teenagers through social media campaigns. Colombia's ombudsman reported 428 cases of child recruitment by armed groups last year.