Mexico says drug cartels are recruiting former Colombian soldiers

Security chief links cartel recruitment to deadly mine attack in Michoacan. Mexico’s top security official said the country’s most powerful drug cartels are now recruiting former Colombian soldiers, raising new concerns about foreign fighters helping fuel cartel violence.

Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch confirmed the trend on Tuesday, days after 12 Colombians were arrested in the cartel-hit state of Michoacan. Eight Mexican soldiers were killed there in a mine explosion. García Harfuch said nine of the suspects had served in Colombia’s army, and the other three had military-style weapons training.

Mexican immigration authorities have recently blocked 69 Colombians from entering the country. Some admitted they had been approached by criminal groups, the official said.

Both the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel are now believed to be targeting Colombian ex-soldiers. Ties between Colombian and Mexican criminal networks go back decades, especially in the cocaine trade.

Colombian Ambassador Fernando García voiced concern that the arrests could impact talks between the two countries aimed at easing entry restrictions for Colombian travelers.

Mexican officials also recalled a 2023 case in which eight Colombians were arrested, also in Michoacan, for allegedly helping cartels make drone-dropped explosives.

García Harfuch said Mexico remains in close contact with Colombian authorities as both countries try to address the growing threat.

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