According to the Cuban government, a human trafficking network has been revealed, aiming to recruit Cubans to take part in Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Havana has previously expressed support for its former Cold War era ally Moscow during its conflict with Ukraine.
In a rare interview conducted in May, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel denounced “the expansion of NATO toward Russia’s borders,” aligning with a Kremlin talking point used to justify its invasion. He also criticized US economic sanctions on Russia, while praising Russian “projects of cooperation and collaboration” in development in Cuba.
On September 4, the Cuban government announced the initiation of criminal proceedings against those involved.
The Ministry of the Interior has identified and is working to dismantle a human trafficking network operating from Russia, with the aim of recruiting Cuban citizens living there and even some residing in Cuba to participate in military operations in Ukraine,” the ministry stated.
“Cuba is not part of the war in Ukraine. It is taking action and will continue to firmly act against those within the national territory who engage in any form of human trafficking for mercenary or recruitment purposes, encouraging Cuban citizens to take up arms against any country,” it emphasized.
