Why are so many Colombians becoming mercenaries? | The Economist

Colombian Mercenaries: A Booming Market & National Crisis

Key Concepts: Colombian mercenaries, foreign fighters, Ukraine war, veteran support, UN Anti-Mercenary Convention, security work, criminal organizations, total peace policy, drone warfare, NATO standards.

The Rise of Colombian Mercenaries

The market for mercenaries is experiencing significant growth, with Colombian nationals being highly sought after. Videos circulating on TikTok demonstrate Colombian soldiers actively recruiting fellow citizens to fight in conflicts, particularly in Ukraine, highlighting attractive financial incentives, camaraderie, and a sense of purpose. Estimates suggest as many as 10,000 Colombians are currently engaged in foreign conflicts, presenting a growing challenge for the Colombian government. This phenomenon extends beyond Ukraine, with reports of Colombian involvement in conflicts in Sudan and cartel violence in Mexico.

Types of Mercenary Work

The work undertaken by Colombian mercenaries falls into three primary categories:

1. Low-Risk Security: Guarding compounds and infrastructure like oil rigs, offering relatively low pay.
2. Criminal Organizations: Joining criminal groups, providing higher financial rewards but also increased risk.
3. Foreign Conflicts: Participating directly in armed conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine, Sudan’s civil war, and conflicts in Mexico.

Why Colombia? – Supply & Skillset

Several factors contribute to the high demand for Colombian mercenaries:

• Large Military Force: Colombia possesses one of Latin America’s largest armies, expanded significantly during the conflict with guerrilla groups in the early 2000s.
• Military Turnover: Mandatory retirement policies (age 45 or 20 years of service) and promotion requirements lead to a consistent outflow of relatively young, trained soldiers.
• NATO Compatibility: Colombia’s long-standing cooperation with the U.S. military has resulted in familiarity with NATO standard weaponry and tactics.
• Combat Experience: Colombian soldiers possess valuable real-world combat experience, a significant asset for potential employers.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Colombian mercenaries are considered relatively inexpensive compared to those from other nations, making them attractive for deployment.

Motivations for Former Soldiers

The primary driver pushing former Colombian soldiers towards mercenary work is the lack of adequate support from the Colombian government for veterans. Upon leaving the armed forces, soldiers often lose access to essential benefits, including:

• Healthcare insurance
• Housing assistance
• Job opportunities that utilize their military skills
• Retraining programs

This results in widespread unemployment and low pensions among former soldiers, creating a strong incentive to seek opportunities abroad. Political factors also play a role, with strained relationships between the military and President Gustavo Petro, stemming from his past as a guerrilla fighter and his “total peace” policy (negotiating with all armed groups and scaling back field operations), leading to voluntary departures from the armed forces – approximately 13,000 soldiers since Petro took office.

Government Response & Diplomatic Fallout

The Colombian government views the outflow of mercenaries as a significant problem due to:

• Citizen Casualties: Colombian citizens are dying in foreign conflicts.
• Deceptive Recruitment: Recruitment practices, often conducted via social media, frequently involve exaggerated claims about pay and insurance.
• Diplomatic Ramifications: Colombian citizens have been implicated in serious crimes abroad, including the 2021 assassination of Haiti’s president and involvement in the Sudan civil war, forcing the government to issue apologies. There are also allegations of Colombian networks training child soldiers.
• Skill Transfer: Concerns exist that Colombians fighting in conflicts like Ukraine are acquiring skills, such as drone warfare, that could exacerbate gang violence within Colombia.

In response, the government ratified the UN Anti-Mercenary Convention in 2023, aligning with international norms criminalizing mercenary recruitment and hiring. However, its effectiveness is limited, as many countries that employ mercenaries have not ratified the convention. Furthermore, mercenary groups often disguise their activities as training or security services.

The UN Anti-Mercenary Convention

This convention aims to criminalize the recruitment, use, financing, and training of mercenaries. However, its impact is limited by the lack of universal ratification, particularly from countries that frequently hire mercenaries.

Future Outlook & Recommendations

The demand for mercenaries is expected to continue increasing. The most effective solution, according to the discussion, is for the Colombian government to significantly improve support for veterans. This includes providing comprehensive benefits, job retraining programs, and ensuring a dignified standard of living for those who have served. Without such support, the incentives for former soldiers to seek opportunities abroad will persist, and foreign conflicts will continue to offer what Colombia currently does not: work, pay, and a sense of purpose.

Notable Quote:

“The single biggest thing that the government could do should be to support these veterans better to avoid them continue to be bullied abroad because without it, the incentives will continue to be there and foreign conflicts will continue to offer what Colombia doesn't offer them, which is work pay and a sense of purpose.” – Interviewee (Carla)

Logical Connections:

The discussion establishes a clear link between Colombia’s military structure, veteran support systems (or lack thereof), political climate, and the resulting outflow of mercenaries. It demonstrates how these factors combine to create a situation where former soldiers are vulnerable to recruitment and driven to seek opportunities in foreign conflicts. The diplomatic consequences are then presented as a direct result of this phenomenon, highlighting the broader implications for Colombia’s international relations.

Data & Statistics:

• Estimated 10,000 Colombian mercenaries fighting in foreign conflicts.
• Approximately 13,000 soldiers have voluntarily left the Colombian armed forces since President Petro took office.
• Mandatory retirement age of 45 or 20 years of service for Colombian soldiers.