Colombians detained in Russia after fighting in Ukraine, vanished in Venezuela

José Arón Medina and Alexander Ante, former Colombian soldiers, went missing in Caracas, Venezuela, on July 18, 2022, after a brief communication with their families while returning from fighting in Ukraine. Their families have faced distressing uncertainty, as they received no information about their whereabouts for six weeks. The situation escalated after the Venezuelan presidential elections on July 28, where Nicolás Maduro claimed victory without credible evidence, raising concerns about the political climate surrounding their disappearance. Both men had extensive military backgrounds, with Medina serving four years in the Colombian army and Ante having 13 years of service before working in security. They were reportedly invited to join the Ukrainian army by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, indicating a formal engagement in the conflict. Their involvement highlights the growing presence of Colombian nationals in international combat roles, particularly in Ukraine, where many are former soldiers seeking to contribute to the fight. The Colombian Foreign Ministry has not publicly addressed the situation of Medina and Ante, although it has expressed concerns about the involvement of international combatants in the war. The ambiguity of international law regarding foreign fighters complicates their status, as they are not classified as mercenaries under Ukrainian law, yet Russian legislation deems mercenaries illegal. The families of the detained soldiers are advocating for their return to Colombia, emphasizing that they are not mercenaries but rather individuals who sought to serve in a regular army. The lack of communication and support from authorities has left their loved ones in a state of distress and uncertainty about their fate.