Ejercito Nacional de Colombia

From the front 29 of the Farc, he fled after taking part in a battle between the gang which was part and a front for criminal gangs who commit crimes in the region of Satinga in the municipality of Olaya Herrera in the department of Nariño.

This young veteran appeared voluntarily at the premises of the Artillery Battalion No. 2 La Popa, of the Tenth Brigade after asking support from one of his cousins currently demobilized and living in the city of Valledupar.

Alias Julian was recruited by force a year ago at barely 18 years old by members of the FARCs 29th Front who with threats against his family forced him to take up arms and terrorist acts against the civilian population and military personnel.

Even with the fear of threats from the leaders of this organization, the young man is a bit suspicious of the questions asked by the journalist, a totally understandable state because of the obvious fear he keeps of being recognized by the leaders, who would take immediate reprisals against his family or against him.

Julian as he was known within the drug-trafficking gang led by alias Jonathan; wants to join the Program for Demobilization and Reintegration into Civilian Life to get the benefits of all rights guaranteed by the Government. He longs to start by finishing his studies which when he was drafted was enrolled in high school.

This story of forced recruitment and demobilization allows us to evidence how such narco-terrorist groups impose their power and convenience to the dreams and expectations of our farm families. But equally there is a glimmer of hope for those who for some reason have been immersed in the violence of armed groups; they can also direct their path and try to recover their lost dreams.