The Cuban government called US accusations about the country's alleged participation in military operations on the territory of Ukraine “false and slanderous.”
They noted that such accusations first appeared in 2023 in certain media without providing evidence and, according to the Cuban side, pursue “certain goals.”
The Foreign Ministry assured that Cuba is not involved in the armed conflict in Ukraine, and also did not send military personnel either to Ukraine or to other countries.
At the same time, the Cuban department clarified that the country’s authorities do not have reliable information about Cuban citizens who could independently join the armed formations of either side.
“What is certain is that none of them act with the encouragement, commitment or consent of the Cuban state,” the statement said.
The Cuban Foreign Ministry emphasized that, in accordance with national legislation and international obligations, Cuba adheres to a policy of zero tolerance towards mercenarism, human trafficking and the participation of citizens in armed conflicts abroad.
These actions are classified as serious crimes and are punishable by punishment.
Thus, after identifying facts of possible recruitment of Cubans to participate in hostilities in 2023, the Cuban authorities took steps to suppress it. In particular, nine criminal cases were opened against 40 people and trials were held, the Cuban Foreign Ministry indicated.
In five cases, the court convicted 26 people, imposing sentences ranging from five to 14 years in prison. Three more cases are awaiting a court decision, and one is at the trial stage, the Cuban Foreign Ministry added.
They clarified that Cubans were recruited through foreign organizations that were not related to the official structures of the country.
In particular, most cases concerned citizens located outside of Cuba.
The Cuban Foreign Ministry said that the United States had not provided a single fact to support the accusations, and called them a new disinformation campaign.
Context
The Pentagon reported on the involvement of foreign mercenaries in the Russian occupation army back in March 2022.
On January 16, 2023, it became known that in Russia foreigners are offered military service in exchange for Russian citizenship.
On August 12, 2025, Deputy Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Vadim Skibitsky reported that the Russians were recruiting citizens of 138 countries to fight against Ukraine.
On October 5, Reuters, citing an internal document of the US State Department, reported that from 1 thousand to 5 thousand Cuban citizens are taking part on the side of the Russian Federation in its full-scale war against Ukraine.
On October 7, Forbes, citing Ukrainian officials, reported that up to 25 thousand Cubans could soon fight for Russia, which would outnumber the North Koreans as the largest contingent of foreign troops on the battlefield. For many Cubans, the attraction lies in finances, the media noted.
Official Havana denies direct involvement in the war in Ukraine, but analysts believe that the scale of recruitment would have been impossible without the tacit consent of the Cuban authorities, Forbes noted.
