UN experts have expressed approval for Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s ratification of the 1989 International Convention against Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries. This move is heralded as a critical advancement in safeguarding human rights and maintaining international legal commitments. The ratification is seen within the broader context of Colombia’s long-standing conflict involving guerrilla groups like the FARC and ELN, amidst ongoing peace efforts since 2016 with the FARC and negotiations with the ELN commencing in 2018. This conflict has resulted in a complex backdrop of armed factions and the proliferation of Private Military and Security Companies (PMSCs) (JURIST).
A 2025 report by the UN Working Group on mercenaries had sounded alarm bells concerning the involvement of mercenaries and PMSCs in exploiting natural resources at the cost of human rights. The report detailed instances where these groups, often aligned with governments, corporations, and criminal networks, engage in severe human rights violations to gain access to resources such as minerals, oil, and timber. The documented abuses involve arbitrary detention, torture, and forced displacement, with indigenous populations bearing the brunt of these violations. The report emphasized that these communities face threats to their rights to land, culture, and livelihood, compounded by limited access to justice.
The ratified legislation underscores the importance of legitimate overseas employment for Colombians within the military and security sectors while reaffirming the prohibition of mercenary activities under international law. Experts emphasize that addressing mercenary activities transcends national boundaries, necessitating strong regional and global collaboration due to its transnational implications.
This development aligns with Colombia’s commitment to comprehensive peace and stability, reinforcing the international legal framework that seeks to dismantle the destructive influence of mercenary activities. Further information on these security challenges is explored by the United Nations in their coverage on the role of international cooperation in tackling the mercenary threat.