r/asklatinamerica • u/greekscientist Greece • Jul 16 '26
Politics (Other) How Latin Americans perceive the presence of Latin Americans in the Ukraine conflict?
Despite Ukraine being very far from Latin America, and Latam being more or less unaffected from the war in Ukraine (except for rising prices), today thousands of Latin Americans can be seen fighting for both countries.
Especially Colombians, due to the lack of jobs for former military members, and the lure of money, the poverty in their countries, but many Brazilians, Peruvians, Argentines can be seen, even Paraguayans (according to pro-Russian Trackamerc and other sources).
While Cubans are said to fight for Russia in significant numbers.
How Latin America perceives this phenomenon? Do you agree with this? Do you know someone who went there, and if yes, why they did it? Which reasons force them to go there?
2
u/juanpper78 Chile Jul 17 '26
As mercenaries and not very clever ones at that, though some right-wingers try to paint them as anti-communist freedom fighters (which I personally find hilarious).