New details have emerged regarding the sexual exploitation of girls, adolescents, and young women by the "Shottas" and "Spartans" gangs in Buenaventura.

News: The government brokered an agreement with gangs to combat this practice and recruitment. The governor says: "We will verify; there are agreements that are not fulfilled." Mobilization against violence against women. Photo: EL TIEMPO Archive. JOURNALIST 05.11.2026 08:35 Updated: 05.11.2026 08:46 In Buenaventura, there is ongoing concern about the situation faced by girls, adolescents, and young women, who are victims of sexual exploitation by criminal gangs "Shottas" and "Espartanos," the latter with an armed wing or group of hitmen composed of minors and adults called "los Chiquillos." READ ALSO: "Shottas" and "Espartanos" in the Marte detention center, in Buenaventura. Photo: SANTIAGO SALDARRIAGA. EL TIEMPO. Is a new agreement being reached within the socio-legal framework? "Often agreements are made, but they are not fulfilled." According to the governor of Valle del Cauca, Dilian Francisca Toro, there is "a complaint that has been filed in Buenaventura, and that is why the delegate of the socio-legal table created by the National Government (Fabio Cardozo) made an agreement with these gangs to ensure that this does not continue," said Governor Dilian Francisca Toro. READ ALSO: "Shottas" and "Espartanos" in the Marte detention center, in Buenaventura. Photo: SANTIAGO SALDARRIAGA. EL TIEMPO. "We are requesting a verification mechanism because often agreements are made, but they are not fulfilled. What we are requesting here is that this verification and follow-up be carried out so that it actually happens, because it cannot be that they are using these young women and girls to carry out their activities," said the official. READ ALSO: Following citizen complaints about sexual violence and the recruitment of minors in Buenaventura, an agreement was signed with criminal gangs, facilitated by the National Government, through official Cardozo, and leaders from Buenaventura. Buenaventura and the governor of Valle, Dilian Francisca Toro. Photo: Private Archive. "Agreements, but with verification." "It is very important to make agreements, but with verification. These girls are being exploited, they are offered resources, but they are also taken away, and they have to go. This is practically sexual abuse against these girls," said the governor of Valle. READ ALSO: "That is why I believe it is very important the agreement that was signed, but logically with clear verification mechanisms and follow-up so that it is actually fulfilled because there are many agreements that are made, but that are not fulfilled. And what we want is that there are no more girls or young women being exploited by criminal gangs," she noted. CAROLINA BOHÓRQUEZ Correspondent for EL TIEMPO Cali. The journalist and presenter. Photo: Follow all the information from Colombia on Facebook and Twitter, or in our weekly newsletter. EL TIEMPO NEWSLETTERS: Register for our newsletters and receive news in your email according to your interests. Stay informed with what really matters to you. EL TIEMPO GOOGLE NEWS: Follow us on GOOGLE NEWS. Stay always updated with the latest news, coverage, stories, and analysis directly on Google News. EL TIEMPO WHATSAPP: Join the El Tiempo channel on WhatsApp to stay up-to-date with the most relevant news at the moment. EL TIEMPO APP: Stay informed with the EL TIEMPO app. Receive the latest news, coverage, stories, and analysis directly on your device. SUBSCRIBE TO THE DIGITAL EDITION: Reliable information for you. Subscribe to EL TIEMPO and access our journalistic content without limits.