The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba has officially rejected accusations of possible involvement of Cuban military personnel in Russia’s war against Ukraine. Havana emphasised that the state has no connection to the hostilities and condemns any attempts to involve its citizens in conflicts abroad.
‘Cuba is not participating in the armed conflict in Ukraine and has not sent its military to this or any other country,’ the Foreign Ministry said in a statement released yesterday.
The country’s government called the information about the alleged participation of Cubans on the side of Russia ‘absolutely false and slanderous.’ According to Foreign Ministry representatives, these accusations have been spread since 2023 by a number of Western media outlets and, as Havana claims, ‘are fuelled by disinformation campaigns by the US government.’
Recruitment cases and criminal convictions
The Cuban authorities confirmed that after the first reports of the possible recruitment of Cubans to participate in the war in Ukraine, a number of criminal proceedings were initiated in the country.
According to the Foreign Ministry, in the last year alone, Cuban courts have heard nine cases related to the illegal recruitment of citizens to serve in the armed forces of other states.
“In eight cases, 26 people have been convicted and sentenced to between five and fourteen years in prison. Three more cases are awaiting a final court decision,” the ministry said.
Havana emphasises that these are independent recruitment networks operating outside Cuba, particularly in Russia, with the aim of recruiting foreign mercenaries through social networks or private companies.
Zero tolerance policy towards mercenary activity
Cuba emphasises that it adheres to a ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards all forms of mercenary activity, human trafficking and the illegal participation of its citizens in military conflicts. Such actions are considered a serious crime and are punishable by severe prison terms.
‘None of the Cubans who may have participated in hostilities are acting on the initiative, support or consent of the state,’ the ministry said.
Recruitment of foreigners for the Russian Federation’s war
Reports of Cuban citizens participating in the war on Russia’s side appeared in September 2023, when the country’s law enforcement agencies announced the exposure of a network of recruiters. According to local media, some Cubans were deceived into ‘contract service’ in the Russian army with promises of work, housing or citizenship.
At that time, the Cuban Foreign Ministry declared a ‘clear and decisive position’ to protect its citizens from such schemes and to cooperate with international structures to neutralise them.
Havana’s diplomatic balance
Cuba has traditionally maintained close relations with Moscow since the Cold War, but since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, official Havana has been trying to remain neutral. Although Cuba abstains from UN votes condemning Russia’s aggression, it officially denies any military cooperation or participation of its citizens in hostilities.
Analysts note that this position allows Cuba to balance its alliance with Russia and its desire to avoid new sanctions and pressure from the US and the EU.
According to the UN, mercenaries from more than 30 countries are participating in the war in Ukraine.
Cuba ratified the UN International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries back in 1989.
Since then, the state has repeatedly condemned the use of its citizens for military purposes outside the country.
