Elizabeth Dickinson
@dickinsonbeth.bsky.social
Deputy Director for Latin America @crisisgroup.org. Past lives in the Arabian Peninsula and West Africa. Ex-journo, @economist.com @foreignpolicy.com. Runner.
Para reclutar niños y niñas, los grupos armados y criminales se han vuelto expertos en tejer mitos en torno a sus operaciones.
Los niños, atraídos por dinero fácil; las niñas, por la ilusión de escapar violencia doméstica.
Así se nos explicó un niño👇
www.crisisgroup.org/es/brf/latin...
Los niños, atraídos por dinero fácil; las niñas, por la ilusión de escapar violencia doméstica.
Así se nos explicó un niño👇
www.crisisgroup.org/es/brf/latin...
February 13, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Para reclutar niños y niñas, los grupos armados y criminales se han vuelto expertos en tejer mitos en torno a sus operaciones.
Los niños, atraídos por dinero fácil; las niñas, por la ilusión de escapar violencia doméstica.
Así se nos explicó un niño👇
www.crisisgroup.org/es/brf/latin...
Los niños, atraídos por dinero fácil; las niñas, por la ilusión de escapar violencia doméstica.
Así se nos explicó un niño👇
www.crisisgroup.org/es/brf/latin...
Against this devastating panorama, Colombia is only beginning to take the steps needed to prevent children from falling into armed groups’ snares.
February 12, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Against this devastating panorama, Colombia is only beginning to take the steps needed to prevent children from falling into armed groups’ snares.
Recruitment reverberates well beyond any single household, silencing communities and reinforcing armed control.
Families of missing kids stay silent, in hopes the child will be returned and out of fear that they will pay the price for any word that runs afoul of the armed group.
Families of missing kids stay silent, in hopes the child will be returned and out of fear that they will pay the price for any word that runs afoul of the armed group.
February 12, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Recruitment reverberates well beyond any single household, silencing communities and reinforcing armed control.
Families of missing kids stay silent, in hopes the child will be returned and out of fear that they will pay the price for any word that runs afoul of the armed group.
Families of missing kids stay silent, in hopes the child will be returned and out of fear that they will pay the price for any word that runs afoul of the armed group.
Inside the ranks, children are placed into the most dangerous roles, because commanders appear to view them as dispensable.
Girls suffer unspeakable abuse, forced into relations or even sold among fighters for sex.
Girls suffer unspeakable abuse, forced into relations or even sold among fighters for sex.
February 12, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Inside the ranks, children are placed into the most dangerous roles, because commanders appear to view them as dispensable.
Girls suffer unspeakable abuse, forced into relations or even sold among fighters for sex.
Girls suffer unspeakable abuse, forced into relations or even sold among fighters for sex.
Recruitment is deliberate and systematic, organized through networks of recruiters who identify vulnerable minors, seduce them with promises attuned to their personal situation, and then sell them to criminal groups, as children themselves told me.
February 12, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Recruitment is deliberate and systematic, organized through networks of recruiters who identify vulnerable minors, seduce them with promises attuned to their personal situation, and then sell them to criminal groups, as children themselves told me.
Just after the last time I saw him, he was assassinated with 9 shots to the head for this work.
In the days prior, he had worried about rising threats and his car had been attacked.
The state knew, also, and he had protection. It was not enough.
In the days prior, he had worried about rising threats and his car had been attacked.
The state knew, also, and he had protection. It was not enough.
February 12, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Just after the last time I saw him, he was assassinated with 9 shots to the head for this work.
In the days prior, he had worried about rising threats and his car had been attacked.
The state knew, also, and he had protection. It was not enough.
In the days prior, he had worried about rising threats and his car had been attacked.
The state knew, also, and he had protection. It was not enough.
I started working on child recruitment after meeting Edgar Tumiña, an Indigenous leader in Cauca who led missions to recover missing kids from his community.
Tumi, as we called him, dedicated his life to recovering children and preventing others from joining.
Tumi, as we called him, dedicated his life to recovering children and preventing others from joining.
February 12, 2026 at 5:06 PM
I started working on child recruitment after meeting Edgar Tumiña, an Indigenous leader in Cauca who led missions to recover missing kids from his community.
Tumi, as we called him, dedicated his life to recovering children and preventing others from joining.
Tumi, as we called him, dedicated his life to recovering children and preventing others from joining.
This Thursday, our latest from @crisisgroup.org
February 10, 2026 at 3:23 PM
This Thursday, our latest from @crisisgroup.org
I started working on child recruitment in #Colombia by accident, because everywhere I went, the conflict was being reshaped by armed groups' dependence on minors to control territory and silence the communities left behind.
We publish our @crisisgroup.org findings on 12 February
We publish our @crisisgroup.org findings on 12 February
February 5, 2026 at 9:21 PM
I started working on child recruitment in #Colombia by accident, because everywhere I went, the conflict was being reshaped by armed groups' dependence on minors to control territory and silence the communities left behind.
We publish our @crisisgroup.org findings on 12 February
We publish our @crisisgroup.org findings on 12 February
The ELN has is moving swiftly to guarantee its interest and survival in Venezuela, after US military operations in Caracas.
We write in today's LatAm Advisor, future talks may follow the same logic: a means to survive politically under new Colombian gov
tinyurl.com/2mc5mh7v
We write in today's LatAm Advisor, future talks may follow the same logic: a means to survive politically under new Colombian gov
tinyurl.com/2mc5mh7v
January 22, 2026 at 4:37 PM
The ELN has is moving swiftly to guarantee its interest and survival in Venezuela, after US military operations in Caracas.
We write in today's LatAm Advisor, future talks may follow the same logic: a means to survive politically under new Colombian gov
tinyurl.com/2mc5mh7v
We write in today's LatAm Advisor, future talks may follow the same logic: a means to survive politically under new Colombian gov
tinyurl.com/2mc5mh7v
I spoke with @cnn.com on our initial read on the situation in #Venezuela after US strikes this morning.
Bottom line is a question: What is the plan now for the day after?
Significant concern in the region, including about the potential for destabilization or humanitarian fallout
Bottom line is a question: What is the plan now for the day after?
Significant concern in the region, including about the potential for destabilization or humanitarian fallout
January 3, 2026 at 4:13 PM
I spoke with @cnn.com on our initial read on the situation in #Venezuela after US strikes this morning.
Bottom line is a question: What is the plan now for the day after?
Significant concern in the region, including about the potential for destabilization or humanitarian fallout
Bottom line is a question: What is the plan now for the day after?
Significant concern in the region, including about the potential for destabilization or humanitarian fallout
If the U.S. plan is to topple Maduro, the possibility of violence would be significant.
Here, front and centre are the ELN, a hardened insurgency with presence in Venezuela & Colombia that the latter has sought for 60+ yrs to defeat.
ELN has vowed to defend Maduro and would.
Here, front and centre are the ELN, a hardened insurgency with presence in Venezuela & Colombia that the latter has sought for 60+ yrs to defeat.
ELN has vowed to defend Maduro and would.
October 23, 2025 at 10:36 PM
If the U.S. plan is to topple Maduro, the possibility of violence would be significant.
Here, front and centre are the ELN, a hardened insurgency with presence in Venezuela & Colombia that the latter has sought for 60+ yrs to defeat.
ELN has vowed to defend Maduro and would.
Here, front and centre are the ELN, a hardened insurgency with presence in Venezuela & Colombia that the latter has sought for 60+ yrs to defeat.
ELN has vowed to defend Maduro and would.
Something else is going on, and that something is messaging: to Maduro, to the broader region.
The decision to move unilaterally with military attacks, disregarding decades of cooperation, or even the courtesy of advanced warning, has sent a chilling message across the region.
The decision to move unilaterally with military attacks, disregarding decades of cooperation, or even the courtesy of advanced warning, has sent a chilling message across the region.
October 23, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Something else is going on, and that something is messaging: to Maduro, to the broader region.
The decision to move unilaterally with military attacks, disregarding decades of cooperation, or even the courtesy of advanced warning, has sent a chilling message across the region.
The decision to move unilaterally with military attacks, disregarding decades of cooperation, or even the courtesy of advanced warning, has sent a chilling message across the region.
First, the basics.
This is not a counter-narcotics strategy. Even if we take the WH at its word that there are drugs on board, attacking smalltime traffickers on speedboats will do nothing to affect the market.
This is not a counter-narcotics strategy. Even if we take the WH at its word that there are drugs on board, attacking smalltime traffickers on speedboats will do nothing to affect the market.
October 23, 2025 at 10:36 PM
First, the basics.
This is not a counter-narcotics strategy. Even if we take the WH at its word that there are drugs on board, attacking smalltime traffickers on speedboats will do nothing to affect the market.
This is not a counter-narcotics strategy. Even if we take the WH at its word that there are drugs on board, attacking smalltime traffickers on speedboats will do nothing to affect the market.
Conversar sobre el conflicto desde el feminismo 💜
De lejos la mejor invitación que he recibido en los últimos años fue esa: pensar en cómo prevenir, mitigar, y resolver conflicto con una perspectiva feminista?
¡Acompáñanos con @latam.crisisgroup.org @HumanasColombia mañana!
De lejos la mejor invitación que he recibido en los últimos años fue esa: pensar en cómo prevenir, mitigar, y resolver conflicto con una perspectiva feminista?
¡Acompáñanos con @latam.crisisgroup.org @HumanasColombia mañana!
September 24, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Conversar sobre el conflicto desde el feminismo 💜
De lejos la mejor invitación que he recibido en los últimos años fue esa: pensar en cómo prevenir, mitigar, y resolver conflicto con una perspectiva feminista?
¡Acompáñanos con @latam.crisisgroup.org @HumanasColombia mañana!
De lejos la mejor invitación que he recibido en los últimos años fue esa: pensar en cómo prevenir, mitigar, y resolver conflicto con una perspectiva feminista?
¡Acompáñanos con @latam.crisisgroup.org @HumanasColombia mañana!
Putting that aspiration into practice has proven daunting. For one, deteriorating security conditions complicate and limit where reparations can physically happen safely – both for defendants and communities.
September 16, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Putting that aspiration into practice has proven daunting. For one, deteriorating security conditions complicate and limit where reparations can physically happen safely – both for defendants and communities.
During this time, their movements will be restricted, through the use of electronic devices intended to monitor their location. This “restriction of liberty” was a fundamental component of the 2016 agreement.
September 16, 2025 at 7:56 PM
During this time, their movements will be restricted, through the use of electronic devices intended to monitor their location. This “restriction of liberty” was a fundamental component of the 2016 agreement.
Entering a polarizing election year, & 9yrs after the 2016 peace accord, Colombia’s transitional court laid down its long-awaited first sentences against leadership of the former FARC.
🧵 on what this means for a refreshed debate about balancing justice & peace
www.jep.gov.co/Sala-de-Pren...
🧵 on what this means for a refreshed debate about balancing justice & peace
www.jep.gov.co/Sala-de-Pren...
September 16, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Entering a polarizing election year, & 9yrs after the 2016 peace accord, Colombia’s transitional court laid down its long-awaited first sentences against leadership of the former FARC.
🧵 on what this means for a refreshed debate about balancing justice & peace
www.jep.gov.co/Sala-de-Pren...
🧵 on what this means for a refreshed debate about balancing justice & peace
www.jep.gov.co/Sala-de-Pren...
Guarda la fecha!
Estaremos @latam.crisisgroup.org para conversar sobre el conflicto colombiano con enfoque feminista💚💜
24 Sept miércoles, 8am
Bogotá, Hotel Tequendama
Estaremos @latam.crisisgroup.org para conversar sobre el conflicto colombiano con enfoque feminista💚💜
24 Sept miércoles, 8am
Bogotá, Hotel Tequendama
September 1, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Guarda la fecha!
Estaremos @latam.crisisgroup.org para conversar sobre el conflicto colombiano con enfoque feminista💚💜
24 Sept miércoles, 8am
Bogotá, Hotel Tequendama
Estaremos @latam.crisisgroup.org para conversar sobre el conflicto colombiano con enfoque feminista💚💜
24 Sept miércoles, 8am
Bogotá, Hotel Tequendama
For those asking why ground eradication needs air support, we recently explained how complex, costly, and high risk these operations are.
Eradication is horrible for everyone involved.
www.crisisgroup.org/latin-americ...
Eradication is horrible for everyone involved.
www.crisisgroup.org/latin-americ...
August 21, 2025 at 10:03 PM
For those asking why ground eradication needs air support, we recently explained how complex, costly, and high risk these operations are.
Eradication is horrible for everyone involved.
www.crisisgroup.org/latin-americ...
Eradication is horrible for everyone involved.
www.crisisgroup.org/latin-americ...
Earlier in the day in Amalfi, Antioquia, a drone attack hit a police helicopter that was offering air support for a manual coca eradication operation.
The explosives caused a fire in the helicopter, resulting in 8 deaths and a further 8 injured. The government has blamed EGC.
The explosives caused a fire in the helicopter, resulting in 8 deaths and a further 8 injured. The government has blamed EGC.
August 21, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Earlier in the day in Amalfi, Antioquia, a drone attack hit a police helicopter that was offering air support for a manual coca eradication operation.
The explosives caused a fire in the helicopter, resulting in 8 deaths and a further 8 injured. The government has blamed EGC.
The explosives caused a fire in the helicopter, resulting in 8 deaths and a further 8 injured. The government has blamed EGC.
Fue para nosotros @latam.crisisgroup.org un gusto de participar en la reunión annual de #ElPaccto, conversando sobre el desafío compartido del crimen organizado, América Latina y la Unión Europea🇪🇺.
Enfatizamos la importancia de priorizar la reducción de violencia contra la población civil
Enfatizamos la importancia de priorizar la reducción de violencia contra la población civil
June 18, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Fue para nosotros @latam.crisisgroup.org un gusto de participar en la reunión annual de #ElPaccto, conversando sobre el desafío compartido del crimen organizado, América Latina y la Unión Europea🇪🇺.
Enfatizamos la importancia de priorizar la reducción de violencia contra la población civil
Enfatizamos la importancia de priorizar la reducción de violencia contra la población civil
Es hora de hablar de reclutamiento de menores en el sicariato en Colombia.
Tal cual como reclutamiento rural, grupos criminales se están aprovechando del desespero de la juventud.
Tenemos que tratarlo con la misma seriedad.
No se puede seguir perdiendo niños a la violencia.
Tal cual como reclutamiento rural, grupos criminales se están aprovechando del desespero de la juventud.
Tenemos que tratarlo con la misma seriedad.
No se puede seguir perdiendo niños a la violencia.
June 8, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Es hora de hablar de reclutamiento de menores en el sicariato en Colombia.
Tal cual como reclutamiento rural, grupos criminales se están aprovechando del desespero de la juventud.
Tenemos que tratarlo con la misma seriedad.
No se puede seguir perdiendo niños a la violencia.
Tal cual como reclutamiento rural, grupos criminales se están aprovechando del desespero de la juventud.
Tenemos que tratarlo con la misma seriedad.
No se puede seguir perdiendo niños a la violencia.
The challenge for Colombia's security forces today is to strike the right balance of managing real risks, while understanding that the vast and overwhelming majority of protesters are exercising a legitimate right of expression.
We all hope 2021's lessons have been learned.
We all hope 2021's lessons have been learned.
May 28, 2025 at 4:53 PM
The challenge for Colombia's security forces today is to strike the right balance of managing real risks, while understanding that the vast and overwhelming majority of protesters are exercising a legitimate right of expression.
We all hope 2021's lessons have been learned.
We all hope 2021's lessons have been learned.
2) Threatening, coopting or replacing protest leaders with individuals closed to criminal groups.
Local social leaders are coerced and marginalized, in favor of those who advance the group's interest of expansion in local communities.
Local social leaders are coerced and marginalized, in favor of those who advance the group's interest of expansion in local communities.
May 28, 2025 at 4:53 PM
2) Threatening, coopting or replacing protest leaders with individuals closed to criminal groups.
Local social leaders are coerced and marginalized, in favor of those who advance the group's interest of expansion in local communities.
Local social leaders are coerced and marginalized, in favor of those who advance the group's interest of expansion in local communities.