Colombia’s Indigenous Guardians Brave Armed Guerrillas to Protect Children—What Does Washington Do?

When Patricia Elago Zetty’s 13-year-old son vanished in Colombia’s violent Cauca region, she did not wait for officials to act. Alongside fellow members of the unarmed Indigenous Guard, Patricia trekked through treacherous mountains to confront armed guerrillas suspected of abducting local children for their ranks.The scene is stark: grim-faced fighters with rifles trained on peaceful mothers holding sacred staffs that symbolize moral authority and protection. Yet against all odds, Patricia emerged victorious, reclaiming her son from those who exploit vulnerable youth amid a decades-long conflict fueled by illicit drug trade and weak government presence.How Long Will Weak Governance Let Armed...