10/2/2024 - technology-and-innovation

"The wars in the shadow of Erik Prince: The dangerous dance of mercenaries in Venezuela and Gaza"

By Poder & Dinero

"The wars in the shadow of Erik Prince: The dangerous dance of mercenaries in Venezuela and Gaza"

Jesús Daniel Romero and William Acosta for Poder & Dinero and FinGuru

Erik Prince, the polarizing founder of the private military company Blackwater, finds himself at the epicenter of rising geopolitical tensions as he seeks to exert influence over conflicts in Venezuela and Gaza. His controversial history, marked by accusations of human rights violations and a tendency to privatize military operations, raises significant concerns about the implications of his involvement in these regions.

Eric Prince

In August 2024, Prince addressed protesters of the Venezuelan opposition through a video, stating: “Your friends from the north... we will soon be here.” This statement has sparked fears of a possible direct intervention by his private military forces, especially as U.S. officials continue to question the legitimacy of the recent elections in Venezuela. His call to security forces to “choose the side of freedom, not the side of socialist gangsters” clearly indicates an intention to destabilize Maduro's government, evoking his past efforts to disrupt foreign regimes.

 

According to an April 2019 Aljazeera press report, the CEO of Blackwater was selling a plan that would use 5,000 private military contractors to remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from power on behalf of Juan Guaidó. The press report mentioned that Erik Prince had approached the White House and European nations with this plan. However, White House National Security Council spokesperson Garrett Marquis declined to comment when asked whether Prince had presented his plan to the government. Additionally, the Aljazeera report also noted that this approach recalls his notorious legacy in Iraq, particularly after the Nisour Square massacre. Such actions raise essential inquiries about their legality and ethical implications, especially in the context of U.S. foreign policy and adherence to international law.

 

Prince's potential involvement in Venezuela has profound implications for U.S. foreign policy. If he proceeds with the deployment of a private military force comprising mercenaries, it could set a troubling precedent regarding the autonomy of private military contractors operating without government oversight, inviting greater scrutiny over the privatization of military operations while the Biden administration grapples with its own foreign policy challenges in the region.

Furthermore, the prospect of a federal indictment against Prince could significantly alter the dynamics of his support for the Venezuelan opposition, not to mention a potential case brought in the U.S. against Maduro and other regime figures who have been accused. If he were to face legal repercussions, it could hinder his ability to mobilize resources or exert influence, raising questions about the viability of his plans. An indictment could also lead to increased scrutiny over any financial or military assistance he offers, which could deter both domestic and international partners from collaborating with him. Legal consequences could not only weaken his position but also instill fear among potential allies regarding the risks of associating with a figure facing serious legal challenges.

 

His ties to Trump complicate matters further. If he were to secure a significant role in a future Trump administration, his past activities—particularly those related to arms trafficking and covert operations—could face intense scrutiny, jeopardizing the administration’s credibility. This could also potentially affect a Democratic administration. Raising the reward from $15 million to $100 million, a reward threshold, would be viewed as the U.S. government supporting private military efforts.

 

Equally concerning are Prince's aspirations in Gaza, where reports suggest he has been working with the Israeli government on various initiatives, including the proposed deployment of a mercenary force to bolster military operations against Hamas. His claims about funding to flood tunnels beneath Gaza and his interest in taking over the Rafah Crossing indicate a desire to expand his influence in this volatile area.

 

The privatization of military and security operations, as illustrated by Prince's relationship, raises ethical questions about accountability. His business ties with Israeli officials further highlight the troubling trend of privatizing military strategies, which can lead to decreased oversight and exacerbate ongoing conflicts.

 

The intersection of Prince’s interests in Venezuela and Gaza poses critical questions about the role of private military contractors in contemporary conflicts. If left unchecked, these entities could operate without accountability, increasing violence and undermining democratic processes in unstable regions.

 

Prince's rhetoric about “putting the imperial hat on again” and governing areas like Africa and Latin America reflects a mindset reminiscent of colonialism. This perspective threatens local sovereignty and risks provoking further conflicts and resentment towards foreign powers.

 

Erik Prince's activities underscore a dangerous trend toward the normalization of mercenary operations in global conflicts. With ongoing reports of a potential federal indictment related to arms trafficking and his previous dealings, the legal ramifications of his actions are significant. An indictment could challenge existing legal frameworks governing military operations and provoke essential questions regarding the role of private contractors in U.S. foreign policy. A case in point is the failed "OPERATION GIDEON" led by the U.S. to remove Maduro from power in May 2020. Jordan Goudreau's Silvercorp USA currently faces federal weapons charges for the botched operation in Venezuela.

 

As Prince's plans materialize, it will be imperative for policymakers, legal experts, and the international community to closely monitor his actions. Ensuring that private military engagements conform to international law is crucial to maintaining accountability and safeguarding democratic processes in conflict-affected regions. The possible overlap of legal challenges and Prince’s military ambitions highlights the urgent need for oversight in the increasingly blurred lines between private interests and government-sanctioned operations.

Jesús Romero served in the U.S. government for 37 years, encompassing military, intelligence, and diplomatic roles. A graduate of Norfolk University with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, he also completed the Naval Aviation Pre-Flight training and served in various capacities, including aboard a nuclear missile cruiser and in strike squadrons. His deployments included Libya, Bosnia, Iraq, and Somalia.

His career in intelligence had key assignments with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in Panama, the Joint Intelligence Center in Hawaii, and led U.S. efforts for locating personnel missing in Asia. He retired from active service in 2006, decorated with numerous medals including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal.

He spent 15 years in civil service as an Intelligence Operations Specialist in the Army Department, in the Southern Joint Interagency Task Force in Florida. After retiring, he worked as a defense contractor for BAE Systems and Booz Allen Hamilton.

William Acosta is the founder and CEO of Equalizer Private Investigations & Security Services Inc. He has coordinated investigations related to international drug trafficking, money laundering, and homicides in the U.S. and other countries around the world such as Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, France, England, and literally all of Latin America.

William has been a police investigator in New York for 10 years, 2 years in the Treasury Department, and 6 years in the U.S. Army with several international deployments for communications and intelligence purposes.

Equalizer maintains offices and subsidiaries in the United States in New York, Florida, and California. Since 1999, Equalizer's investigations have successfully closed hundreds of cases, ranging from homicides, missing persons, and other crimes.

He has been involved in the criminal defense of hundreds of state and federal criminal defense cases ranging from homicide, narcotics, RICO, money laundering, conspiracy, and other federal and state charges.

He specializes in international and multijurisdictional investigations, and in recent years has conducted investigations in Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, France, England, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, among others.

He has also directed or coordinated hundreds of investigations related to international drug trafficking, money laundering, and homicides; and has been an instructor and international speaker on various investigative topics.

Specialties: Criminal Defense Investigations, International Investigations, Homicides, Undercover Narcotics Operations, Investigations, Money Laundering Investigations, Conspiracy, International Human Trafficking, Surveillance, International Terrorism, Intelligence, Technical Surveillance Countermeasures, Internal Affairs Investigations, National Security.

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Poder & Dinero

Poder & Dinero

We are a group of professionals from various fields, passionate about learning and understanding what happens in the world, and its consequences, in order to transmit knowledge.
Sergio Berensztein, Fabián Calle, Santiago Montoya, Pedro von Eyken, José Daniel Salinardi, Leo Moumdjian, along with a distinguished group of journalists and analysts from Latin America, the United States, and Europe.

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