The Ukrainian Armed Forces announced the capture of a third Cuban citizen who was fighting as a mercenary in the ranks of the Russian army, in the context of the war with Russia.
This is about Ernesto Míchel Pérez Alvelaes, born on August 15, 1999, in Trinidad, Sancti Spíritus province, who was working as a construction laborer in Moscow when he was recruited by the Russian army on August 1.
According to the Cuban Resistance Assembly (ARC), with the authorization of the Ukrainian forces, Pérez Alvelaes was supposedly sent to reconstruction tasks in occupied areas, but ended up on the front line, where he witnessed the death of at least 10 fellow Cuban compatriots.
"Many did not survive. They told me I was going to work in construction, but it was a lie," the young man reportedly said, who surrendered to Ukrainian forces after witnessing the devastation of the Russian offensive and fearing for his life.
The case was made public a few hours after a national security meeting at the Capitol in Washington D.C., where Cuban-American congress members such as Mario Díaz-Balart, Carlos Giménez, and María Elvira Salazar raised concerns about the increasing involvement of Cubans in the war, supposedly with the complicity of the Cuban regime.
During a press conference attended by an official Ukrainian delegation, it was revealed that thousands of Cuban citizens have been recruited as cannon fodder by Moscow, with the active collaboration of the Havana government, which would facilitate the transfer, money laundering, and logistical integration into the Russian army.
The Ukrainian delegation requested the imposition of economic sanctions against the Cuban regime and that the Council of Europe designate it as a terrorist state due to its role in the conflict.
“We denounce the exploitation of the Cuban people by the communist Castro dictatorship, sending young people to die in the service of Russia in a conflict that does not represent the interests of the Cuban nation,” stated Dr. Orlando Gutiérrez Boronat, spokesperson for the ARC, as cited on Facebook by the Cuban Democratic Directorate.
The phenomenon is not new. Since 2023, hundreds of Cubans have been lured with promises of high salaries, Russian citizenship, and immigration benefits, but upon arriving in Russian territory, they are taken to military bases and sent to the front without preparation or informed consent.
The scandal was uncovered when the young men Andorf Velázquez and Alex Vega, both 19 years old, publicly reported that they had been deceived. In a video broadcast by América TeVé, they stated: “It was all a scam. We are scared.”
In June of last year, the Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío officially denied any connection between the government and the recruitment of Cubans for the war. However, investigations by Ukrainian media such as Schemes have revealed that hundreds of Cubans are part of Russian units, including the 106th Airborne Division and squads from the Wagner Group.
While the regime denies its involvement, families in Cuba continue to be without news of their children, who have disappeared in the war machinery of the Kremlin, and without official answers from the Cuban authorities.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Recruitment of Cuban Mercenaries in the War in Ukraine
How are Cubans being recruited for the war in Ukraine?
Cubans are being recruited under deceit and false promises of jobs in Russia, such as in construction or warehouses. Upon arrival, they are taken to military bases and sent to the front lines without training or informed consent.
What is the role of the Cuban government in the recruitment of mercenaries?
Although the Cuban government denies its direct involvement, investigations suggest that there is a structural complicity that facilitates the recruitment and transfer of Cubans to Russia. This includes the rapid procurement of passports and the use of flights from Cuban airports.
What do the families of the recruited Cubans say about their situation?
The families of the recruited Cubans are desperate, painting a picture of deception and despair. Many have not heard from their children, and they report that their loved ones were lured by promises of high salaries and migration benefits, only to end up on the front lines of war.
How many Cubans have been recruited as mercenaries by Russia?
According to Ukrainian reports, more than 1,000 Cubans have been identified as fighters contracted by Russia. However, it is estimated that up to 20,000 Cuban citizens may have been recruited under false pretenses.
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