Cuban authorities have apprehended 17 individuals believed to be involved in a network responsible for recruiting Cuban nationals to fight on behalf of Russia in Ukraine.
According to César Rodríguez, the head of criminal investigations for Cuba’s Interior Ministry, at least three of the arrested individuals are directly linked to recruitment activities within the country.
While the identities of these alleged network members were not disclosed, it was revealed that they had prior criminal records. Concerned families began speaking out, with one mother claiming that her son had been promised a job in construction in Russia.
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Cuba’s Foreign Ministry announced on Monday that it had uncovered a network operating from Russia that sought to recruit Cuban nationals residing in Russia and Cuba to participate in the conflict in Ukraine. The government expressed its commitment to “neutralize and dismantle” the network, although no specific details were provided.
“Cuba is in no way involved in the war in Ukraine,” stated the Foreign Ministry in a press release.
As political allies, Cuba and Russia have a visa-free travel agreement. Many Cubans travel to Russia for educational or employment purposes.
This image showcases the Cuban flag. (Universal Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
State TV prosecutor José Luis Reyes announced that the suspects are being investigated for various crimes, including mercenary activities and recruiting mercenaries, which could result in sentences ranging from 30 years to life imprisonment, or even the death penalty.
Marilin Vinent, aged 60, revealed on Friday that her son, Dannys Castillo, aged 27, was one of the Cubans recruited in Russia.
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Speaking from her residence in Havana, Vinent stated that her son and other Cubans traveled to Russia at the end of July with the promise of construction work. “They were all deceived,” she asserted.
Vinent shared photographs of her son on her cellphone, some of which show him clad in military attire.
She explained that her son had accepted the offer to go to Russia in order to financially support the family due to the ongoing economic crisis on the island, which has resulted in product shortages.
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“I don’t know if my son is still alive. We have no information,” she expressed. “All I want is to speak to him.”
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