From Havana To The Front Lines
The Cuban government has discovered what they have described as a “human trafficking network,” that is forcing Cubans to fight on the front lines in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. A statement was released on September 4th by the Cuban Foreign Ministry, stating that they are working on the “neutralization and dismantling” of the network, initiating criminal proceedings against those at fault for the creation and management of the network. The Foreign Ministry did not comment on whether any Cubans who joined the war in Ukraine were connected to the trafficking ring. They also refused to comment on whether the ring had any connections to the Russian government. However, the Foreign Ministry’s statement came just days after a Miami newspaper published testimonies from two Cuban teenagers who said they had been tricked into working alongside the Russian military on construction sites in Ukraine.
In May, a Russian newspaper, Ryazan Gazette, reported several Cuban citizens had signed contracts with Russia’s armed forces and had been taken to Ukraine in return for money and eventual Russian citizenship. However, it is still unclear whether the Ryazan Gazette and the human trafficking ring in Cuba are related. Cuba and Russia have been historic allies with their strong communist ties, with Russia being one of the prime destinations for Cubans looking for a better life. The war with Ukraine has pushed the two even closer, as many nations have turned their back on Russia, while Cuba has stood strong alongside them. Cuba has come out stating its “unconditional support” for Russia’s “clash with the West” in the war against Ukraine. It is yet to be seen how this issue will affect the relationship. Russia is yet to comment on the matter.
Some critics say that despite Cuba’s recent statements, it is hard to believe that the Cuban government was unaware of the recruitment of Cubans to fight in Russia. One of these critics is Erich De la Fuente, a professor at the Florida International University and an expert on Eastern Europe. De la Fuente said on the issue, “Even if they [the Cuban government] are part of it, I think you’re going to see [arrests]. And I think they’re going to tout that as part of taking action [against] this thing.” De la Fuente added that he thinks the Cuban government has only come out speaking against the actions as a way not to endanger its foreign relations. De La Fuente explained, “They understand that if they are perceived by the U.S., by the EU, favoring Russia, being complicit or being part of the actual conflict, it could jeopardize its relations.”
With Cuba in dire economic status right now, with the government struggling to keep the electricity running and having a decent amount of food for their people, any deterioration in relations with foreign countries could have severe consequences. De la Fuente also revealed why so many Cubans see this as a golden ticket opportunity, with it mainly coming down to the astronomical pay difference. “Cubans tend to leave the island for whatever opportunities they see anywhere. And they’re promised salaries over $2,000 a month,” De la Fuente explained, adding that the average Cuban earns around $25 per month. When coupled with the promise of Russian citizenship, the offer of the human traffickers is irresistible for many Cubans who are stuck in their country’s current economy.
Unlike in the United States and most other countries, foreigners are able to get Russian citizenship significantly quicker than they were previously. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a new decree last year that allowed foreigners to sign up for military service in the Russian army which would allow them to receive citizenship via a fast-track procedure. Cuba says it has no part in the war in Ukraine, rejecting the use of its citizens as mercenaries. The alleged human trafficking ring comes amid an ambitious goal for the Russian military, to recruit another 140,000 Russian soldiers by the end of the year to aid in the fight against Ukraine. To be able to meet this ambitious goal, Russia has not only been taking people from Cuba but countries throughout central Asia as well. The promise of more money and citizenship has drawn in more people from less developed countries, increasing Russia’s military presence, exponentially, in the process.
Cuban authorities have, so far, arrested seventeen people believed to be involved or associated with the human trafficking ring that lured young Cuban men to Russia. Cesar Rodriguez, a colonel with Cuba’s interior ministry, stated on a TV program, “As a result of the investigations, seventeen people have been arrested so far, among them the internal organizer of these activities.” While Rodriguez did not name anyone who had been arrested or accused of participating in the ring, he did say the leader of the group relied on at least two people based in Cuba. The role of the individuals based in Cuba was to recruit Cubans to fight on behalf of Russia in return for money and citizenship. The prosecutor of the case, Jose Luis Reyes, said those involved with the ring could serve up to 30 years in prison, a life sentence, or even the death penalty. Punishment will vary depending on the severity and type of crime committed, which ranges from human trafficking, fighting as a mercenary, and hostile action against a foreign state.
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By Luke Birch