MIAMI — Florida lawmakers with Cuban roots are raising concerns after a presentation by Ukrainian military and government officials exposed how Cuban nationals are allegedly being recruited — and exploited — to fight for Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine.
The briefing, delivered this week to U.S. lawmakers, included detailed photo IDs and contracts belonging to some of the more than 1,000 Cubans who were promised around $2,000 a month in exchange for fighting alongside Russian forces.
“They have been defrauded,” a Ukrainian official said during the presentation, shared on YouTube. “Despite the promises, they have not been let out of the Russian forces and they are kept there by force.”
In the span of a year, Ukrainian officials say at least 40 Cubans have died in the conflict. Loved ones have reportedly sent letters pleading for information about missing relatives.
“The main factor why Cubans go to fight with Russia is the payouts — the economics,” said one official, adding that the Cuban government claims no formal involvement. “But with these numbers, it is impossible that without the complacency of the Cuban government, the mercenaries would be in Russia.”
In Little Havana, the revelations struck a nerve.
“Oh my God… please,” said Esther Callejas, a Cuban American. “They’re using Cubans, promising $2,000, and they haven’t paid them? That makes me sick. How can they put their lives on the line for two grand and not get paid? I’m against all of that.”
An advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said they are now considering ways to introduce sanctions against the Cuban regime at an upcoming European Union meeting.
Florida lawmakers are urging Ukraine to press European allies to take a stand.
“Those days have to be over,” said Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart. “You cannot, on one hand, ask for U.S. funding to fight Putin, and on the other, have our European friends turning a blind eye.”
Rep. Carlos A. Giménez echoed that message: “We’ll help you in your fight for freedom — and you can help us in trying to liberate the Cuban people from oppression.”
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