Retired Colombian soldiers in global mercenary forces

Insight

Retired Colombian soldiers in global mercenary forcesRetired Colombian soldiers in global mercenary forces

After 50 years of armed conflict, many say Colombian soldiers are “experts”, especially when it comes to fighting guerrilla wars.

A growing number are getting paid to fight abroad as mercenaries in places like Yemen.

CCTV America’s Michelle Begue has Insight from Bogota.

According to an investigation by the New York Times, the United Arab Emirates has trained soldiers from Colombia, Chile and El Salvador to fight in Yemen.

This isn’t the first time retired Colombian soldiers have been recruited to fight in the Middle East. In 2006, the Colombian media reported that former soldiers were being offered security jobs in Baghdad.

For hundreds of former Colombian soldiers, the chance to fight overseas for another country remains an enticing one, despite the risks.


Combat researcher Sean McFate on mercenaries in conflict zones

CCTV America’s Mike Walter spoke to Sean McFate. He is a senior fellow in Atlantic Council and an adjunct professor at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. He is also the author of “The Modern Mercenary: Private Armies and What They Mean for World Order.”