Colombian mercenaries ‘dying for nothing’ in Ukraine, President Gustavo Petro says

Colombian residents who journey to Ukraine to struggle as mercenaries are “dying for nothing,” President Gustavo Petro has stated.

The Colombian chief took purpose at Kiev’s use of international fighters in a publish on X on Tuesday. He was reacting to a Ukrainian media report praising what it described as 7,000 Colombians concerned in the battle with Russia.

“There are 7,000 Colombian males, skilled for fight, combating in a international warfare and dying for nothing in Ukraine,” Petro wrote, including that Colombia doesn’t intend to “export demise.”

Kiev has been actively searching for international recruits – described by Ukrainian officers as ‘volunteers’ – because the escalation of the battle with Russia in February 2022. Colombia, given its lengthy historical past of inside armed battle and counterinsurgency operations, has grow to be a big supply of international fighters.

The determine of seven,000 was beforehand cited in media studies as the whole variety of Colombians who fought for Ukraine from 2022 to late 2025, although it stays unverified. Latest estimates counsel that 1,000 to 2,000 Colombians are at the moment concerned in the combating.

Colombians handled as ‘second-class’ in Ukraine

Petro harassed that mercenary exercise is against the law underneath Colombian regulation. In late March, the nation ratified the UN Mercenary Conference amid a surge in recruitment that has reportedly drawn round 10,000 Colombians into international conflicts worldwide.

Public consideration in Colombia was drawn in October 2025 to the case of round 40 nationals stranded in Ukraine. In keeping with Semana journal, they tried to exit army service and depart the nation, however had been allegedly kidnapped whereas touring towards Poland.

On the time, Petro shared a video stated to point out the Colombians in Ukrainian custody and accused Kiev of treating them as “second-class” people.

“I name on Colombian mercenaries who’re getting used as cannon fodder by firms working out of Miami to return dwelling instantly,” the president stated.

Ukraine going through troop shortages

The Russian army has stated it targets positions held by international fighters supporting Kiev, although it hardly ever gives detailed accounts. In 2024, the Protection Ministry revealed a breakdown of international fighters by nationality, inserting Colombia behind Poland, Georgia, the US, and Canada.

Since then, Ukraine’s manpower challenges have worsened, main the authorities to undertake more and more harsh mobilization practices to compel reluctant males of combating age into the military. The federal government has acknowledged that the usually violent actions of press gangs are a significant supply of tensions in Ukrainian society.

The system of ‘worldwide legions’ throughout the Ukrainian army was reportedly dissolved final 12 months, sparking discontent amongst international fighters who had been subsequently ordered to combine into common army items.