The Dark Side of Colombia Few People Know

#16: Colombian Mercenaries Fight In Foreign Wars

Hundreds of Colombian ex-soldiers have been recruited by private security firms to fight in conflicts overseas. Many were promised high pay but ended up in dangerous war zones like Yemen and Sudan, often without clear contracts or legal protection.

These mercenary networks reveal how poverty and instability push veterans to risk their lives abroad. Colombia’s highly trained soldiers are in demand globally, but their exploitation has raised ethical and political concerns back home. For many, it’s another reminder of how war follows Colombians—even beyond their borders.