Previously, he served in the International Legion before returning to the U.S., where a recruiter from Guajiro contacted him.“They told me I was a good fit and invited me to join. At first, I had doubts and even missed my first flight, but I ended up coming. And I have no regrets,” Witch told Espreso.Witch had no prior military experience before coming to Ukraine. When asked why he chose to join the war, he said he simply wanted a different life.“In the U.S., I moved around a lot but never felt like I belonged. There's too much politics there. In Ukraine, I felt I could actually be useful. I really want Ukraine to win. I'm amazed that even during war, the country keeps functioning—the economy runs, the army holds the line and maintains discipline. I think Ukraine really has something unique,” he said.Six Spanish interpreters in KhartiaAlex is one of them. He works as a recruiter for the Spanish-speaking unit Guajiro, helping with onboarding, daily issues, and supporting the unit's welfare services.The Guajiro unit was formed in spring 2025. That’s when it received its battle flag and developed its insignia—an eagle inspired by Colombia’s national symbol and stylized to resemble Khartia’s identity. Guajiro is composed exclusively of Spanish-speaking fighters, mostly from Latin America and especially Colombia.Guajira is a region in Colombia, and a guajiro is a person from there. The unit was named in honor of the first Colombian soldier that Khartia lost in battle.Why they come to UkraineAccording to Alex, most Spanish-speaking recruits who come to fight in Ukraine are Colombians. One major reason is Colombia’s decades-long civil war, which created entire generations of soldiers for whom the military became the only way to move up socially.However, many of them can’t serve in Colombia’s army. The current Colombian president is a socialist, while the country’s military—trained by the U.S.—tends to be more capitalist in outlook. Serving under a socialist commander-in-chief is not acceptable for many of them. For them, Ukraine offers the chance to reach the peak of their military careers.Another reason is money. Many Colombians see military service as a job, and some can earn enough in just five months in Ukraine to buy a house back home.“One more important reason: Ukraine is Europe. Through Ukraine, they hope to find work elsewhere in Europe after their contract ends,” Alex explains.When asked whether any of the Guajiro fighters come “for the cause,” Alex says many Colombians have a strong anti-socialist and anti-communist stance. They see Venezuela, China, Russia, and the USSR as part of the same ideological threat. Venezuela in particular supported left-wing rebel groups like FARC and ELN in Colombia—something that still shapes their worldview.Many Colombian fighters are also deeply religious and believe in being “on the right side of history.” In Spanish, there’s a difference between matar (to kill) and asesinar (to murder). The fighters say they’re here not to asesinar, but to matar—to kill in defense.How foreigners are recruitedAlex says the best recruitment tool is word-of-mouth:“Our Spanish-speaking comrades say: ‘My friend wants to come.’ That’s the best way for us. Their friends can help them, explain everything—they already know how things work here,” he says.Once a foreigner contacts Khartia, a vetting process begins. They ask about prior (non-)combat experience, health, criminal background, and reasons for wanting to come. After further screening, the recruit arrives in Ukraine and signs a contract. But not everyone is accepted—Venezuelans, minors, and people with serious illnesses are typically turned away.“Foreigners already have our contacts. They call and say they want to serve with us,” says Alex, adding that TikTok videos by fighters often help recruit fellow countrymen.Why Khartia succeeded in forming a Spanish-speaking unitAlex credits this to the infrastructure Khartia built: interpreters, instructors, and officers who speak Spanish and understand the culture.“And also, Khartia doesn’t throw people into meat grinders—and they know that,” he adds.Still, there are systemic issues with recruiting foreigners. Alex says medical examinations remain a challenge. Foreigners often don’t have access to family doctors, which are needed for the military medical board.Guajiro fighters currently serve as riflemen and mortar operators. They aren’t yet drone operators because that requires fluency in Ukrainian for clear communication.Alex notes that Khartia attracts not only Latin Americans but also Europeans and Americans. However, their motivations differ: they come not for money, but for combat experience.Foreigners have the privilege to leave when they wantAlex emphasizes that while foreigners are welcome, it’s Ukrainians who bear the primary responsibility for defending the country.“When a Ukrainian joins the army, it’s for the long haul. Foreigners, on the other hand, can break their contract after six months. They have the privilege of leaving when they want.”“Things can change—new recruits may stop coming, current ones may leave, or their countries might block re-entry into the EU. Anything can happen. Relying solely on foreigners is risky. They can arrive in groups and leave in groups—instantly undermining a unit’s combat readiness,” he says.