130 demobilized members of illegal armed groups have graduated from Medellin’s rehabilitation program to back into Colombian society.
Former paramilitaries and ex guerrillas, many from the groups FARC and AUC, have completed courses in work training, citizenship skills, academic education and “psychosocial intervention” in order to complete their reintegration into society, reported local media.
Medellin’s Peace and Reconciliation Program aims to give demobilized fighters the skills they need to live a life on the right side of the law, including support in income generation. The program aims to involve families and communities in changing the attitudes of the former fighters.
The Medellin program has assisted in the demobilization of 5673 former fighters in total, 1425 from guerilla groups and 4248 from paramilitary groups.
The program continues to track reintegrated fighters after graduation in order to ensure they have adapted to their new life and continue living within the law.