Exploiting Desperation: Cuban Citizens in Russia’s War
Amidst a severe economic downturn in Cuba, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and high inflation, information about a human trafficking network exploiting Cuban citizens as mercenaries in Russia's war with Ukraine was reported in September of 2023. This situation not only reveals the severe economic circumstances facing the people of Cuba and their desperation to escape poverty, but it also raises important questions about human rights, state responsibility, and the intersection of global conflicts and the lives of citizens caught in the middle of it.
Background
On September 5, 2023, it was reported that Cuba had discovered a human trafficking network that enlisted Cubans to serve as mercenaries in Russia’s war against Ukraine. When news of this broke, the Cuban Foreign Ministry stated that efforts were being made to break up the network that appeared to operate in both Russia and Cuba. Days later, seventeen people were detained by Cuban authorities in connection with the human trafficking network. The head of criminal investigations, César Rodríguez, disclosed that at least three arrests were connected to the recruitment drives in Cuba. Those arrested were being investigated for mercenary operation offenses, which carry sentences of up to 30 years in prison, life in prison, or even death. Cuba maintained that it was not a party in conflict and was adamantly against the employment of mercenaries.
Cuba’s Economic Crisis
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated Cuba's economic crisis, resulting in significant shortages of basic necessities like food and medicine. After the end of the height of the pandemic, Cuba's economy continued to suffer, with production remaining below pre-pandemic levels, while economic growth was less than 2%. Important industries, including mining, manufacturing, and agriculture, were the most affected, according to Minister Alejandro Gil. The pandemic resulted in a 50% decline in export revenue, and sanctions imposed by the United States have been largely to blame for the nation's economic problems.
In January 2022, officials acknowledged that the medication shortage had worsened, claiming that 88 of the most essential medications were unavailable. Energy services were worsened, with frequent blackouts being reported. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights reported that there had been widespread increases in poverty and inequality as well as a breakdown in the public healthcare system. The Cuban population continues to face significant hardships due to the high inflation rate, which has reached 30%, and a 78% increase in food costs. In 2022, the number of Cubans emigrating from the nation had also increased significantly.
The Recruitment
It was reported that a recruiting drive had been attracting hundreds of Cubans voluntarily. A Ukrainian hacking group later released passport images of almost 200 alleged Cuban mercenaries, including information about recruitment activities in Cuba. Interviews, leaked documents, audio messages, films, and social media posts from recruiters showed advertisements for military duty with the Russian Defense Ministry circulating on Cuban social media groups. Recruits were offered a monthly compensation of $2,086, a substantial increase over the average monthly salary in Cuba, which is less than $50. Leaked contracts also revealed that a one-year commitment included a $2,000 one-time enlistment fee, roughly $21,000 for their families in the event of their death, and the possibility of obtaining Russian citizenship as another benefit. However, recruitment efforts came with claims of obscure legality, where recruits were tricked into fighting, expecting to work in civilian professions, but signed contracts that were difficult to get out of.
Under Russian legislation, foreign nationals can enlist in the army on a contract, with the possibility of obtaining citizenship after a year of service. Russian President, Vladimir Putin, issued an order in 2022 that expedites citizenship for foreign recruits into the Russian military. Several Cubans were reportedly deployed to Ukraine in return for Russian passports after signing military contracts with Russia, according to reports in May from Russian media. Russian ambassador, Victor Koronelli, acknowledged that Cubans were going to Russia for military training but stated that he was unaware of how many Cubans went to Russia.
These events unfolded at a time when Russia intended to add 140,000 more personnel to its armed forces by the end of 2023. Russia had employed mercenaries, most notably the Wagner group, in its fight against Ukraine. It was also reported that Russia was luring migrants from Central Asia with offers of citizenship and financial incentives to fight with them. Although the Cuban government has denied any involvement, many believe that it was aware of the recruitment drive. According to reports, most recruits publicly disclosed their acts on social media, implying they did not consider themselves part of an illicit plan. Once deployed to Ukraine, the trainees encountered communication difficulties, which resulted in pleading messages from friends and relatives back home. The recruits then found themselves in a terrible situation where they were not allowed to apply for refuge abroad and were unable to return home due to possible legal repercussions.
Stories
After the arrests, several victims and families affected by the recruitment drive began to speak about how human trafficking impacted them and their loved ones. A mother shared that her 27-year-old son was among those recruited in Russia. She claimed that despite being tricked, her son and others were offered construction employment in Russia to help support their families. Another story involved a father who told reporters that of the 17 people arrested in the trafficking network was his 34-year-old son, who he said was in agony and had not spoken to anyone since his arrest for mercenary work. The man’s other son, a 33-year-old, was said to have traveled to Russia a few weeks earlier and has not been heard from since. Another account came from a video message from a bus carrying Russian military units from Ukraine to Russia. In the video, two teens pleaded for assistance as they said they were tricked into working with the Russian military on construction sites in Ukraine.
However, not every recruit felt tricked, as some have voluntarily enlisted to escape poverty. Despite the dangers and uncertainty involved, César, a bartender from Cuba, planned on traveling to Moscow and enlisting in the Russian army to flee the dire economic circumstances in Cuba.
Human Rights Ramifications
This situation has serious ramifications for human rights in Cuba, especially for those who have been tricked or forced into fighting for Russia. The enlistment of Cubans as mercenaries in Russia's conflict with Ukraine hinders their rights to life and freedom. Many of those who were recruited were deceived by false pretenses, offered higher pay and Russian citizenship, and ended up on the front lines of a conflict that Cuba is not involved in. Moreover, they are left in a dangerous and uncertain situation, unable to seek refuge overseas or return home because of legal restrictions. Thus, the forced participation of Cuban citizens in this conflict raises the question of the Cuban government's ability to safeguard their people against exploitation and abuse. There are allegations by experts and analysts that the Cuban government may have known about the recruiting campaigns despite its denial of involvement, and it chose not to act to safeguard its citizens. This failure highlights how crucial it is for the Cuban government to fulfill its duties to protect the rights and welfare of its citizens, especially in circumstances where they could be vulnerable to coercion or manipulation by foreign parties.
Image Credits: Herrera Family | Edited by GorStra Team