President Gustavo Petro has criticized the involvement of Colombian nationals in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, reiterating that mercenary activity is strictly prohibited by law. Citing former Ukrainian minister Tymofiy Mylovanov, Petro claimed that as many as 7,000 militarily trained Colombians are currently fighting and “dying without cause” on foreign soil, declaring
We do not want to export death.
In contrast, the International Federation for Human Rights estimates a lower figure of 2,000 to 3,000 contract soldiers—but the human toll is undeniable. Foreign Minister Rosa Villavicencio reported that the ministry has provided 577 instances of consular assistance, with a staggering 438 cases involving citizens missing in action.
These administrative efforts are managed through the consular section in Poland, which has developed specific protocols for repatriation and assistance. The government continues to warn citizens against joining the war as the number of disappearances continues to climb.
