Background on Martha Patricia Ruíz Anchondo
Martha Patricia Ruíz Anchondo serves as the Mexican Ambassador to Colombia. Her recent statements shed light on a growing concern regarding the entry of Colombian ex-military personnel into Mexican drug cartels.
Mexico Denies Entry to 69 Colombians Involved in Criminal Activities
In the past month, Mexico reportedly denied entry to 69 Colombians intending to engage in criminal activities with Mexican drug cartels. Ambassador Ruíz Anchondo confirmed that these individuals are former military personnel who served in both the Colombian National Police and Army.
“These individuals are being apprehended for their involvement in illicit activities,” stated the ambassador.
Cooperation Between Mexico and Colombia
To prevent such entries, Mexico and Colombia maintain a cooperative migration and security agreement. One of the mechanisms is the Mexico-Colombia Binational Commission. “We have permanent diplomatic channels that facilitate the exchange of information, always within national legal frameworks and with full respect for human rights,” Ruíz Anchondo explained.
Colombian Ex-Combatants Attractive to Cartels
Media reports suggest that Colombian ex-combatants are ideal for cartels due to their military experience in confronting Colombian criminal groups. Cartels require individuals with expertise to train assassins, manufacture explosives, and participate in territorial disputes.
An example cited by local media was the construction of a bomb that killed eight members of Mexico’s National Guard. The perpetrators were not only Colombian but also former soldiers allegedly hired by the “Los Reyes” cartel to “confront the Mexican state.”
Strengthening Mexico’s Migration Controls
Ambassador Ruíz Anchondo acknowledged that Mexico needs to bolster its migration controls to ensure safer, more regulated traveler mobility.
“This is a standard procedure. All countries have migration controls, and we remain vigilant in addressing global challenges posed by migration, human trafficking, and the misuse of migratory routes,” she emphasized.
Challenges Faced by Colombian Ex-Military
Many of these Colombian ex-combatants face insufficient or nonexistent pensions and limited training for alternative occupations unrelated to war or defense. Their skills make them attractive to other countries, whether for defending different states, working in defense companies, or joining criminal organizations like Mexican cartels.
“The Colombian army is the largest and most professional in Latin America, receiving billions of dollars in U.S. aid,” reported Los Angeles Times.
The soldiers’ experience with the conflict makes them suitable for Mexico’s criminal disputes. However, ex-military personnel have also arrived in other countries, such as Ukraine, where over 300 fighters are believed to have died in the war.
Despite official accounts, many apprehended individuals claim they were deceived with promises of legal jobs offering monthly salaries up to $3,000, only to have their documents and phones seized upon arrival, forcing them into cartel recruitment.
