A Colombian court has sentenced senior ELN rebel commanders to 20 years and four months in prison for recruiting children. The ruling is a landmark in the country's fight against the guerrilla group.

Those convicted include top commanders known as Gabino, Garcia, Beltran and Pablito. They led the National Liberation Army, Colombia's largest remaining rebel group.

Prosecutors showed the group systematically recruited minors. Children were taken from their families and forced to fight.

The sentences were handed down in absentia for some of the commanders. Several remain at large, possibly in Venezuela.

Colombia's government has tried for years to reach a peace deal with the ELN. Talks have stalled repeatedly over violence and kidnappings.

Victims' groups welcomed the ruling. They said it sends a message that recruiting children is a war crime that will be punished.

Colombia's armed conflict has lasted nearly six decades. Child recruitment has long been a tactic of its armed groups. The government says protecting children is central to its peace policy. Peace talks with the ELN have been suspended and restarted several times. Officials say justice for victims must come first.