The Colombian military stated on Friday it fired 31 of its members accused of involvement with sexual abuse or violence against minors, amid latest accusations of sex abuse of younger ladies by troopers.
At least 118 members of the military have been investigated since 2016 for sex crimes against minors, the top of the military stated earlier this week.
“Thirty-one members were removed from the institution: 12 sub-officials and 19 soldiers. This administrative measure was taken in accordance with legal norms that regulate personnel and by decision of the head of the national army,” the military stated in a press release.
The fired troopers and officers will nonetheless face disciplinary and legal investigations which may end in jail time.
Those who misplaced their jobs on Friday are among the many 118 investigated since 2016, the military stated.
Seven troopers had been arrested final week for alleged sexual abuse of an indigenous lady in Risaralda province. All seven males and three of their superiors have been fired, whereas two higher-up officers have been re-assigned.
Another case – that of a younger lady allegedly sexually abused by numerous troopers whereas being held at a military web site in Guaviare province for a number of days with out meals or water – emerged final weekend.
The military has denied a scientific effort to guard military members implicated in acts of sexual violence against minors.
The Colombian military has 240,000 members and leads the nation’s struggle against leftist guerrillas and crime gangs based by former members of right-wing paramilitary teams.
The military has lengthy been accused by victims and human rights teams of rights violations throughout Colombia’s greater than 5 a long time of inner battle.
PreetiJha 
Vaibhav Kapoor