In a striking revelation, Cuba’s foreign ministry has announced the discovery of a human trafficking ring that has been pressuring Cuban citizens to fight for Russia in the Ukraine conflict. The ministry further stated that Cuban authorities are actively working to dismantle the network and put an end to this illicit activity.
While the details remain sparse, the foreign ministry revealed that this trafficking ring has been operating not only within Cuba, but also in Russia, thousands of miles apart from the war zone.
According to the Cuban government statement, “The Ministry of the Interior…is working on the neutralization and dismantling of a human trafficking network that operates from Russia to incorporate Cuban citizens living there, and even some from Cuba, into the military forces participating in war operations in Ukraine.”
Although Russia has yet to comment on these allegations, it is worth noting that Russia previously announced plans to increase its armed forces by more than 30% to 1.5 million combat personnel. This goal, however, has been complicated by the undisclosed number of casualties Russia has sustained in the conflict.
A Russian newspaper in Ryazan reported in late May that several Cuban citizens had signed contracts with the Russian armed forces and had been sent to Ukraine in exchange for Russian citizenship. It remains unclear whether the Cuban foreign ministry statement is related to this specific report.
Nevertheless, Cuba’s government has taken swift action, prosecuting cases involving its citizens who were coerced into fighting in Ukraine. The Monday statement concluded, “Attempts of this nature have been neutralized and criminal proceedings have been initiated against people involved in these activities.”
(Reporting by Dave Sherwood and Marc Frank in Havana; Editing by Michael Perry)
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