Colombian volunteers for Republican Spain

Although there are no records of Colombians who fought in the International Brigades, several individuals did join the battle to defend the Spanish government. In December 1938, the Spanish Minister in Bogotá reported to the Colombian government that fewer than ten Colombians were enrolled in the Republican army. These were mostly volunteers with little to no previous military experience, like Mario Sorzano Jiménez who was studying medicine in Madrid when the civil war broke out. He turned down the opportunity to return to Colombia, instead enlisting with the Republican army where he served six months as a private in the assault guard before being promoted to lieutenant. 

Back home, more Colombians expressed a desire to fight for the Spanish Republic in defence of a cause that they also felt was their own but ultimately could not travel to Spain due to a lack of means. In July 1936, the Spanish Minister to Colombia reported to his government that he had received numerous requests from Colombians who wanted to take up arms for Republican Spain. He thanked these volunteers for their offer but explained that the Spanish government did not have the resources to organize transport for foreign volunteers. That did not stop the requests coming in; between July 1936 and May 1938, at least sixteen individuals from across Colombia offered their services as soldiers, pilots, sailors, engineers, signalers and dentists.

Many of those who volunteered had previous military experience. In the image, two Colombian pilots list their aviation training following a visit to the Spanish Legation during which they offered to fly in the Republican Air Force. Other volunteers were regular civilians drawn by their sense of connection to Spanish events. One Communist Party of Colombia member, Horacio Carajol, felt that the transcendence of events in Spain made it his duty to offer his services to the Republican government. He even offered to pay for his own trip to Spain, although it is not clear whether he made the journey across the Atlantic. 

CE