One of the most selfless haters of Israel, Maduro, made a “gift” to Putin: Colombians who fought for Ukraine were handed over to Moscow

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American edition Politico reports that Russian special services have detained two Colombian citizens, Alexander Ante and Jose Aron Medina, for participating in military operations on the side of Ukraine as part of a foreign legion.

Both were arrested by Venezuelan authorities in July 2023 in Caracas while returning home. Following their arrest, they were handed over to Russia, the first such extradition since the outbreak of full-scale war. A Moscow court has placed both men in the maximum-security Lefortovo prison, where they are awaiting trial for participating in the armed conflict, for which they face up to 15 years in prison.

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The FSB also released a video showing those arrested with their heads down introducing themselves, which some believe was done under duress.

The incident highlights the close ties between Russia and Venezuela. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, has long been known for his anti-Semitic remarks and public attacks on Israel.

Maduro regularly uses anti-Semitic rhetoric for political propaganda, promoting false historical parallels and accusations against the Jewish state. In March 2024, on the eve of Ramadan, he declared that Israel’s actions against Hamas and Arab terrorists in Judea and Samaria were “no different from Nazi Germany’s persecution of Jews.”

In his television appearance he claimed:

“Israel is bombing mosques and killing people during prayer. What the Israeli government is doing can only be compared to Hitler's persecution and extermination of the Jewish people.”

Maduro has continued to build on his accusations, claiming that “the Jewish Holocaust has today become a Palestinian Holocaust.” He has also repeatedly claimed that “international Zionism” is supporting opposition forces in Venezuela, accusing it of “trying to steal the presidential election.” He has said that Zionist influence controls all social media and satellite technology. Such claims only reinforce his reputation as an anti-Semite who uses political crises to fuel hatred against the Jewish people and Israel.

While Maduro openly opposes Israel, Venezuela remains a close ally of Russia. This is evidenced not only by the arrest of Colombian fighters, but also by ongoing cooperation on various military issues. Ironically, Russia itself actively recruits mercenaries abroad, including in Cuba and India, promising them high salaries and Russian citizenship. At the same time, mercenaries cooperating with Moscow also play a significant role in the Middle East and Africa.

Maduro, meanwhile, has never missed a chance to exploit international conflicts to bolster his anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist stance. For example, in March 2024, he declared that Benjamin Netanyahu was “the Herod of our time,” accusing the Israeli prime minister of bombing “Muslim and Christian children.” He expressed outrage at the “silence” of the United States and Europe in the face of Israel’s alleged “genocide.”

Thus, the transfer of Colombian fighters who fought for Ukraine to Moscow via Venezuela not only reflects the alliance between Putin and Maduro, but also speaks to the broader context of anti-Semitism and propaganda used by the Venezuelan leader. While Maduro continues to support Russian policies, his accusations against Israel and Zionism only exacerbate tensions and undermine attempts to establish a peaceful dialogue.

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