The Cuban Michael Duro publicly denounced the disappearance of his brother, Yoan Viondi Mendoza, who left for Moscow 11 months ago after being deceived into participating in the war of Russia against Ukraine.
In an emotional video published on his Facebook profile, Duro called for international assistance and shared the drama that hundreds of Cuban families are facing in similar situations.
According to his testimony, Mendoza traveled with the hope of making money to reunite with his family in the United States, but since then there has been no news of his whereabouts.
I have written four letters to Vladimir Putin, to the International Red Cross, to Interpol, even to President Donald Trump, and no one has responded to me,” said Duro, who suffers from cancer and lives alone in the United States.
The man, diagnosed five years ago with cancer in his left hip, shared that the disease also progressed to his bones, and he went from working to living on a check of 875 dollars.
After that situation, his brother assured him that he would find a way to gather the money and get to the U.S. to be with him.
"The only thing he told me was that I was dying alone in this country, and now he is the one who may be dead alone, where? I don’t know, because the authorities that should respond, those of the dictatorship, and hold those people accountable, do not do so," he said, desperately.
The brother of Yoan Viondi reported that there are at least 600 missing Cubans in the conflict, many of whom are young adults aged between 18 and 29 who may have been recruited under false promises. “They are not on the lists of the deceased, but they also do not receive payment or information about their whereabouts,” he warned.
Visibly affected, Duro called on the Russian and Cuban authorities for answers regarding the whereabouts of his brother and other fighters.
The Cuban also highlighted the lack of media coverage regarding this human tragedy and urged the international community to promote the dissemination of his message.
"I cannot take a flight and just show up there, without knowing where I'm going to end up, or what I would need to do in that country to find my brother, and if he is no longer there, at least let me have his body, his remains, to have some peace and know that we could at least bury him, and know where he is, so his mother can know where her son is," he expressed through tears.
Previously, he revealed to the independent media ElToque that the last time he spoke with his brother was on October 3, 2024. Since then, he has not received any further information about him.
The last words he remembers from Yoan were: "This damn connection is dropping." He has never heard his voice again.
Cubans victims of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine
The Cuban government claims it has no responsibility for the recruitment of Cuban citizens to participate as mercenaries in the war between Russia and Ukraine, despite the reports and testimonies that have shaken families inside and outside the island.
In an interview with the American program Democracy Now!, Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío recently stated that Havana "made public and denounced" the phenomenon of Cubans enlisting as soldiers in that armed conflict and assured that Cuban citizens fighting on both sides of the conflict have been identified.
According to the official, it was recruitment networks in Europe that attracted citizens from various countries, including Cubans, to send them to the front lines.
However, multiple investigations and testimonies from Cubans involved in the conflict present a very different picture.
A report by the Ukrainian media outlet Schemes revealed the presence of several hundred Cubans fighting for the Russian army, many of whom are integrated into the 106th Airborne Division, active in some of the bloodiest battles of the war, such as the battle of Bakhmut.
Cuban fighters were even identified wearing insignia of the Wagner group and promoting war propaganda on social media.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cubans in the Ukraine War
What happened to Yoan Viondi Mendoza in Ukraine?
Yoan Viondi Mendoza, a Cuban who was deceived into joining the war in Russia against Ukraine, has been missing for 11 months. There has been no news about his whereabouts since he left for Moscow with the hope of earning money to reunite with his family in the United States.
How does the Russia-Ukraine conflict affect Cubans?
The conflict has involved numerous Cubans who were recruited under false promises of employment in Russia. Many Cubans have disappeared or died in the conflict, and their families on the island are left helpless due to the lack of information and support from the Cuban government.
What is the Cuban government's response to these allegations?
The Cuban government has distanced itself from the accusations regarding the recruitment of its citizens, stating that it has no responsibility and has denounced the phenomenon. However, numerous testimonies indicate complicity or, at the very least, negligence regarding the departure of Cubans to Russia to participate in the war.
What is the human impact of the recruitment of Cubans by Russia?
The impact is devastating, with hundreds of young Cubans missing or dead in a war that was not theirs. The phenomenon reflects the economic desperation and lack of opportunities in Cuba, where many are forced to accept deceitful offers to improve their living conditions.
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