4.1.3. Enforced disappearances

4.1.3. Enforced disappearances

Disappearances continued to be reported in the reference period, with some sources indicating also an increase in kidnappings. Between December 2016 and July 2024, ICRC reported 1 730 new enforced disappearances, noting that despite strong institutional presence on this issue, searches were difficult.466 Between January and May 2024, ICRC documented 78 cases of disappearances related to the armed conflict across 9 departments, 65 % of which were in Arauca and Cauca.467 For the entire year of 2024, the ICRC documented 252 cases of disappearances: 206 civilians, 44 members of armed groups, and 2 security force members.468 ICRC reported that in the first half of 2025, 136 people went missing, most of whom were civilians.469 The government's Unit for Missing Persons, which was created in 2017, had found 23 people alive, and recovered 1 626 bodies of missing persons, since its creation.470 In May 2024, the government launched a new National Search System to coordinate the government's efforts in searching for missing persons.471