“It’s God’s Calling”: A Colombian Fighter with More Than 80 Combat Missions
A Colombian with the callsign “Caballo Loco” — Spanish for “Crazy Horse” — came to defend Ukraine after nine years of service in the Colombian army. At the time of our conversation, he had completed more than 80 combat missions, fought in the Serebriansky Forest and in the Pokrovsk direction, and faced death on numerous occasions.
Despite the dangers he has experienced and his family’s worries, Caballo sees his presence in Ukraine as a higher calling. He came here to help protect those who cannot defend themselves against unjust aggression.
From Colombia to Ukraine
Caballo arrived in Ukraine around September 2023:
“This was my own decision — I wanted to make my small contribution to Ukraine.”
Before that, the Colombian had served in his country’s army for about nine years. Some of the experience he had gained proved useful, but the war in Ukraine turned out to be completely different:
“The war here is very different from the one we have in Colombia. It is much harder here, and the atmosphere is very tense.”
Battle-Hardened
By the time of our conversation, Caballo had already completed more than 80 combat missions. He describes the fighting in the Serebriansky Forest and in the Pokrovsk direction as the toughest.
The Colombian volunteer spent around eleven months in the Serebriansky Forest. At first, the situation there remained relatively under control, but then everything changed abruptly:
“At first, we could still do our job, but then suddenly everything completely exploded.”
Threat from Above
During one of his last missions before our conversation, Caballo narrowly escaped being wounded by a drone dropping explosives.
His rotation had already ended, and the group was preparing to leave its positions. However, enemy drones continued to attack relentlessly.
The commander then radioed the order to withdraw and warned them that drones were already overhead.
Caballo was walking calmly when one of the drones suddenly shone a light on him:
“Don’t shine a light on me,” he said, then asked, “Why are you shining a light on me if you’re friendly?”
According to him, a grenade fell shortly afterward, and two seconds later, cluster munitions began falling.
Caballo started running through the forest. The munitions were exploding nearby. He shouted to his comrade, trying to tell him where he was, but heard no reply.
It was around one or two in the morning, but fortunately, it was light enough for his brother-in-arms to eventually spot Caballo on a path near a small hill. There, the Colombian found a depression resembling a trench and hid inside it. Soon afterward, another grenade landed nearby and buried the hollow. Fortunately, everyone managed to get out unharmed.
A Higher Calling
The decision to come to Ukraine was difficult for Caballo not only because of the dangers of war:
“My mother worries a lot.”
His friends, brothers, and sisters also did not want him to go to war. But he sees his presence here as a calling he cannot turn away from:
“Being here is God’s calling, and for me, it is inevitable, regardless of what my family says.”
A School of Character
Caballo understands that war is a stage in life that leaves its mark not only on the body but also on the human psyche:
“It affects a person both physically and psychologically. And here, people’s entire worldview changes.”
The Colombian encourages foreigners to come to Ukraine, gain experience, and contribute to the common cause. In his view, it is important not merely to see the war with your own eyes, but also to make a contribution to the fight:
“It’s good to gain this kind of experience. But it’s even better to serve and make an important contribution to the common cause here in Ukraine.”
Caballo also emphasizes the power of collective effort:
“Because together, we make up one of the largest armies in the world. And we keep moving forward.”
For the Sake of the Future
After the war ends, Caballo wants to start a family. For now, he sees his mission as protecting himself, his comrades, and those who cannot defend themselves against danger: children, women, and the elderly. He explains his presence in Ukraine simply:
“I’m here to help all those who cannot protect themselves.”
Interviewed by: Volodymyr Patola
Text: Dmytro Tolkachov
Video: Oleksandr Los, Volodymyr Patola
Editing: Oleksandr Bekker
