Cuban citizens were forced to fight on the side of Russia in the war against Ukraine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba reported.
“The Ministry of the Interior [of Cuba]… is working on the neutralization and dismantling of a human trafficking network that operates from Russia to incorporate Cuban citizens living there, and even some from Cuba, into the military forces participating in war operations in Ukraine,” the Cuban government statement said.
The human trafficking network operated both on the territory of the Caribbean island state, thousands of kilometers from Moscow, and in Russia itself, the ministry adds.
“Cuba is not part of the war in Ukraine. … [Cuba] is acting and will act energetically against anyone… who participates in any form of human trafficking for the purpose of recruitment of Cuban citizens as mercenaries to use arms against any country,” the ministry said.
All detected human trafficking attempts were neutralized, and criminal cases were initiated against persons involved in illegal activities.
