Following reports about the recruitment of Bolivians to fight in Russian ranks in the conflict with Ukraine, the diplomat emphasized that “mercenaries” who fight for money exist worldwide, and reiterated that he has no knowledge of the recruitment of citizens from this nation.

  “Mercenaries who fight for money exist all over the world. We know that there are foreign mercenaries from Latin America in the Ukraine conflict as well,” Verchenko said in statements to the press.

  In this regard, he emphasized that “the embassy is not involved in this system.”

From Bolivia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Deputy Minister of Consular and Institutional Management, Hector Huanca, estimated that around 16 compatriots might be in the conflict zone, though he noted, “These are figures we are yet to confirm.”

  He added that, in this context, the government has activated consular protection and assistance protocols through the Bolivian Embassy in Russia.

  Meanwhile, the Ukrainian consul in Brazil, Heorhii Erman, stated that they have no information regarding Bolivian nationals being recruited by the Ukrainian army to participate in the war.

He denied that his country’s embassies recruit potential combatants to take part in the war.

  However, during an interview with the Unitel network, he admitted that “there are people from Brazil, Colombia, and Peru who fought in this war on Ukraine’s side and lost their lives. There are people from Argentina, for example. But regarding Bolivia, we have no information.”

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