UN: Colombia's Strata System Hampers Peace and Social Mobility

A United Nations envoy has stated that Colombia's economic and social stratification is hindering its peace efforts. The government’s economic strata system, intended to subsidize poorer communities, instead exacerbates poverty and social segregation. This system also limits opportunities for children from low-income families, making them susceptible to armed group recruitment.

A United Nations envoy has stated that Colombia’s economic and social stratification is hindering its peace efforts. The government’s economic strata system, intended to subsidize poorer communities, instead exacerbates poverty and social segregation.

Olivier De Schutter, the U.N.'s special rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, said the result is rich Colombians ignoring poverty, children from low-income families missing opportunities, and some becoming easy targets for armed group recruitment. The Colombian government classifies households into six income levels, which promotes inequality.

De Schutter's remarks followed a 10-day trip to Colombia. He asserts that although President Gustavo Petro has made poverty reduction a priority, social mobility remains unchanged. The president's office did not immediately respond to the findings.