From MENA to Eurasia, Colombian mercenaries redefine business of war

Mercenary soldiering, or what is known as becoming a hired gun, is an ancient profession. However, in modern-day conflicts, the profession is evolving in a different direction. In addition to big American and Russian companies, some groups come to the fore from time to time in different conflict zones. Especially in the Middle East, Syrian or other mercanaries who gained experience in Syria have recently been on the agenda. However, the most famous ones, whose numbers are also increasing in the Middle East these days, come from a place much more unrelated to the region.

Colombia, known for decades of internal conflict, has unexpectedly become the world’s leading source of mercenaries. The roots of this phenomenon lie in the country’s prolonged battle with insurgent groups, widespread military conscription, inadequate veteran care, and a struggling economy. Today, Colombian veterans are highly sought after globally, deployed in conflicts ranging from the Middle East to Ukraine and even to Mexican cartel warfare.

Decades of conflict and US influence

Colombia has been entrenched in internal warfare for decades, primarily against Marxist guerilla groups such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN), as well as various powerful narcotics cartels like the El Golfo Cartel. Beginning in the 2000s, the United States intervened directly, implementing “Plan Colombia,” an initiative providing extensive training and support to Colombian soldiers.

Thousands of Colombian troops subsequently received specialized combat training from U.S. military personnel, significantly enhancing their combat capabilities and experience. This created a generation of skilled combat veterans highly proficient in jungle warfare and counter-insurgency operations. Some of those members of this generation also have fought alongside the U.S. soldiers in Iraq. In that sense, it’s not the first time that they stepped into the region.

Colombia’s massive military complex

Colombia possesses Latin America’s second-largest army after Brazil, with approximately 200,000 active-duty soldiers. Mandatory military service further amplifies this number, historically conscripting about 90,000 young men annually between 2017 and 2022. Due to this extensive conscription, hundreds of thousands of Colombians have practical experience handling weaponry and warfare tactics.

Despite such expansive military infrastructure, Colombian soldiers earn notoriously low wages—about $140 per month for conscripts and approximately $460 monthly for professional soldiers. Veterans also receive minimal state support, with lifetime pensions averaging only $400-$600 per month, which is insufficient for sustaining their families in a country with limited economic opportunities.

Mercenary opportunities abroad

Faced with these economic realities, Colombian soldiers often look overseas for better pay and opportunities. European military units such as the French Foreign Legion and the Spanish Legion have become attractive options. Approximately 750 Colombians currently serve in the French Foreign Legion, accounting for about 10% of the Legion’s total manpower. Spanish forces also employ significant numbers of Colombians, with over 2,600 active Colombian legionnaires as of recent counts.

Middle Eastern countries, notably the United Arab Emirates, represent an even more lucrative destination. By 2015, reports indicated nearly 1,800 Latin American mercenaries, mostly Colombian, were training at Emirati military bases. They have since participated in conflicts like Yemen’s civil war, where hundreds of Colombian mercenaries engaged directly in combat, motivated by financial incentives offered by the UAE government.

Middle Eastern demand for Colombian ‘expertise’

Middle Eastern nations, notably the UAE, have increasingly sought Colombian mercenaries due to their professional combat skills, proven battlefield experience, and cost-effectiveness compared to Western contractors.

In 2015, reports revealed nearly 1,800 Latin American mercenaries—primarily Colombian—training at Emirati military facilities, where they earned around $3,000 per month. This represented an attractive salary compared to the $460 monthly average for Colombian soldiers. The UAE hired Colombians initially for internal security roles but rapidly expanded their deployment into active conflict zones, such as Yemen. When these missions exceeded initial expectations, the UAE offered additional incentives, such as $1,000 weekly bonuses, to encourage Colombians to accept frontline combat roles.

Colombians in Yemen, Sudan conflict and beyond

Colombian mercenaries have been extensively involved in Yemen’s civil war, frequently tasked with frontline combat and high-risk operations against the Houthis. In December 2017 alone, a single ambush resulted in 10 Colombian mercenaries being killed in action. Their deployment by the UAE was strategic, leveraging Colombians’ jungle and urban warfare experience in the harsh, mountainous Yemeni terrain.

The UAE’s dependence on Colombian fighters extended to other conflicts, notably Sudan’s recent civil unrest, where Colombians fought alongside the UAE-backed Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Reports from late 2024 indicated that at least 160 Colombian mercenaries participated in significant combat operations, with dozens killed amid fierce clashes.

Across Eurasia, in Ukraine

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Colombian mercenaries have significantly increased their presence on Ukrainian battlefields. Ukrainian forces, including the International Legion, actively recruit Colombians, who can expect monthly salaries of approximately $3,000 to $4,000—substantial amounts compared to Colombian standards.

These economic incentives have drawn numerous Colombians seeking relief from domestic financial pressures. Many have incurred debts to finance their travel to Ukraine, motivated primarily by economic desperation rather than ideological solidarity. Unfortunately, the reality of frontline combat in Ukraine, characterized by intense artillery bombardment and difficult conditions, differs greatly from their jungle warfare experiences. As a result, Colombian mercenaries have suffered high casualties, with official Colombian government estimates placing fatalities at over 310 by late 2024.

Capacity-building for Mexican cartels

Apart from a minority of Columbians who have joined Russian-backed forces in Ukraine, some went to the way of fighting against their compatriots and former comrades by relocating to Mexico, recruited by cartels as combat instructors, drone operators, and explosive specialists, significantly intensifying the violent tactics used in cartel wars.

These mercenaries now find themselves in ethically compromised positions, sometimes even engaging directly with other Colombians employed by rival groups. Mexican cartels offer substantial salaries ($2,500-$4,000 per month), attracting Colombian veterans who fail to find employment elsewhere due to age or other restrictions.

Made in Colombia

From their early reputation for discipline and affordability to the high salaries they now command, Colombian mercenaries illustrate how protracted conflicts fuel a global demand for professional soldiers. Colombia’s decadeslong internal conflict, combined with intensive U.S.-backed military training and persistent socioeconomic challenges, has produced the world’s largest pool of combat-experienced, export-ready fighters. Today, the global security market is reaping the consequences.