A UN expert group on mercenaries warned on Friday of a significant increase in the recruitment of Colombian mercenaries, driven by the proliferation of armed conflicts worldwide. After an 11-day visit to Colombia, the body estimated that more than 10,000 citizens — nearly all former military and police personnel — have been recruited abroad over the past decade, with offers ranging from $2,000 to ...
The UN's warning about Colombian mercenaries reflects a broader trend of privatized warfare, where economic desperation and global conflict intersect. The strongest version of this narrative highlights legitimate concerns: former combatants, trained but underemployed, are vulnerable to exploitation by private security firms and foreign governments. The use of social media for recruitment underscores the challenges of regulating modern mercenary networks, which operate in legal gray areas. Howeve...