Mexican Authorities clamp down on Colombian mercenaries ahead of World Cup

Mexican authorities are intensifying security measures to prevent Colombians linked to organized crime from exploiting the 2026 FIFA World Cup to enter the country, a security official in Guadalajara told AFP on Thursday.

Roberto Alarcon, Jalisco’s general coordinator for strategic security, warned that foreign nationals, including former Colombian soldiers and ex-guerrillas, are being recruited by local cartels for criminal operations. “People have come to be recruited by the cartels,” Alarcon said, adding that several Colombians attempting to enter the state without clear justification have already been turned back.

Guadalajara, one of the tournament’s host cities, is considered a hotspot for organized crime activity. Authorities are concerned that criminal groups may use tourist packages linked to the World Cup as cover to recruit foreign mercenaries with combat experience.

The trend of employing Colombian ex-fighters has been growing, particularly since the 2017 demobilization of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and shrinking military budgets in Bogota. Colombian mercenaries, valued for their combat expertise in anti-guerrilla operations, have been documented working in global conflict zones including Ukraine, Afghanistan, Yemen, Iraq, and Sudan.

In Mexico, Colombian mercenary cells have been linked to sophisticated operations such as constructing bombs deployed via drones, especially in Michoacan. Last June, the Mexican army detained 10 former Colombian soldiers in Michoacan after a landmine explosion killed six Mexican soldiers, highlighting the ongoing security threat.

Preparations for the tournament in Guadalajara, with a population of 3.5 million, include over 2,000 surveillance cameras, drones and anti-drone teams, and coordinated air and ground units. The city’s Guadalajara Stadium, capable of seating 48,000 fans, will host four World Cup matches, including Mexico’s second group-stage game against South Korea on June 18.

Alarcon emphasized that, while the city looks forward to welcoming tens of thousands of international visitors, security forces remain vigilant to prevent criminal exploitation of the global sporting event.