Seven children were killed in a controversial air strike against a rebel group in Colombia's south, the country's human rights ombudswoman says.

The incident comes as the administration of President Gustavo Petro steps up efforts to regain control of rural areas in Guaviare province.

In a statement, ombudswoman Iris Marin said the minors killed in the strike against the FARC-EMC rebel group had been forcibly recruited and were being used as "human shields".

Marin called on the Colombian government and rebel groups in the country to respect international humanitarian law.

The public defender had initially said that six minors were killed in the strike, but updated the death toll following a statement from Colombia's Forensic Medicine Institute.

"No child or teenager who has been recrui

See Full Page