Bogotá, Colombia
Horrific crime: Seven Colombian soldiers have confessed to the gang rape of a 13-year-old indigenous girl, a case that has caused shock and anger across Colombia. The child was snatched from her tribe’s rural reserve in the north of the country last week by soldiers sent to enforce the coronavirus lockdown. Members of the Colombian military have been accused of numerous rapes and extrajudicial killings in recent decades—particularly against indigenous people— but have rarely been brought to justice. “Colombia must be merciless with sexual abusers of minors, adolescents, and women,” said Vice President Marta Lucía Ramírez, who called for a speedy trial. The seven men each face up to 30 years in prison. Colombia’s army chief, Gen. Eduardo Zapateiro, said the men had been discharged and would not be given army legal representation.