Two Colombian men, Alexander Ante and Jose Aranda, were reportedly kidnapped by Vladimir Putin while in Venezuela. Both had fought for Ukraine and were detained in Russia upon their return home. They face serious charges of mercenary activities and have not been in contact with their families since their disappearance, resulting in profound concern and distress among their loved ones.
Reports indicate that two Colombian nationals, Alexander Ante, aged 46, and Jose Aranda, aged 37, were allegedly kidnapped by Vladimir Putin while in Venezuela, subsequently detained in a Russian prison. The two men, who had participated in the conflict in Ukraine, were abducted in Caracas as they returned home.
Mr. Ante had joined the 49th Infantry Battalion Karpatska Sic in Ukraine, a battalion reportedly associated with neo-Nazi elements, drawing on his prior military experience in Colombia. Shortly before his disappearance, he had informed his mother to prepare a traditional Colombian dish for his arrival, but he vanished soon thereafter.
After a search lasting 43 days, Mr. Ante resurfaced in a video broadcast on Russian state media, alongside Mr. Aranda, where they stated they were being held in Moscow. The pair identified themselves and their battalion while appearing handcuffed and flanked by armed guards.
Both men are believed to have earned substantial salaries while serving in Ukraine, with foreign fighters being compensated between $2,400 to $3,200 monthly. Mr. Aranda had been making plans to return home for his birthday celebration when he went missing, leaving his family without any means of communication.
Mr. Ante’s mother expressed her heartache during her search for her son, lamenting the lack of information regarding his wellbeing. She stated, “I do not know if he is cold, if he is hungry, or how they are treating him. I know nothing. It is so hard…”
Currently, Alexander Ante and Jose Aranda are imprisoned for six months on remand, facing potential sentencing of 12 to 18 years for charges relating to mercenary activities, as per the Colombian ambassador to Russia, Héctor Arenas Neira. Despite the serious allegations, the authorities in Venezuela and Russia have remained silent on the matter.
The case of Alexander Ante and Jose Aranda highlights the precarious situation of foreign fighters involved in international conflicts. Their abduction from Venezuela and subsequent detention in Russia not only raises questions about the treatment of such individuals but also underscores the broader geopolitical implications involving military and diplomatic relationships between the nations involved. The uncertainty faced by their families adds a human dimension to this troubling scenario.
Original Source: www.independent.co.uk
