Latin America's Risky Bet on Hired Guns to Fight Crime
Erik Prince, military entrepreneur and founder of Blackwater USA, is returning to the spotlight – this time in Latin America, where he’s pitching his companies as a solution to insecurity and organized crime.
Private military contractors (PMCs) have long been part of Latin America’s war on drugs, typically under the direction of the United States. But today, regional governments are increasingly turning to foreign contractors directly, especially Prince, for help with urgent security crises.
Prince’s career has long been steeped in controversy. In 2007, Blackwater contractors killed 17 civilians in Baghdad’s Nisour Square during the Iraq War. In 2021, the United Nations investigated him for violating a Libyan arms embargo by supplying weapons to a militia commander, allegations he denies.
Despite the controversies, Prince remains a respected figure in some policymaking circles. He maintains close ties to US President Donald Trump and served as an informal foreign policy advisor during Trump’s first term.
However, by the end of Trump’s first term, Prince was effectively sidelined by officials who opposed his proposals to expand the use of mercenary forces globally, according to CNN.
Now, he appears to be regaining influence in Trump’s orbit and following the administration in turning his focus toward Latin America. His companies are reportedly pursuing ventures in Ecuador, Haiti, Peru, and El Salvador, offering services from anti-gang consulting and drone strikes to deportation programs.
While these efforts serve Prince’s business interests, they also align with a more aggressive US approach to the region, particularly on drug trafficking and organized crime.
https://insightcrime.org/news/erik-prince-privatizing-latin-america-war-crime/