Cuba Arrests 17 Over Alleged Russia-Ukraine Human Trafficking Ring

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Facts

• At least 17 people have been arrested in connection with an alleged human trafficking ring that is alleged to have lured Cubans to fight for Russia in its war with Ukraine, the country's interior ministry said on Thursday.¹
• Previously, Cuba's foreign ministry had announced discovering a 'human trafficking network,' adding that the authorities were working to neutralize and 'dismantle' the operation.²
• Though he didn't name the accused or their nationality, the head of the investigation, Cesar Rodriguez, said one is the ring's internal organizer, while two others are identified as recruiters.³
• According to Rodriguez, the group's leader relied on two people residing on the island to recruit Cubans to fight for Russia in Ukraine in exchange for payment.⁴
• The accused all face up to 30 years in prison, a life sentence, or the death penalty, depending on the severity of the crimes. The charges reportedly include human trafficking, being mercenaries, and hostile acts from a foreign state.⁵
• While Russia, a close ally of Cuba, hasn't yet commented on the allegations, the two countries are discussing upgrading Cuba's existing power installations and cooperating in the oil and gas sector.⁶

Sources: ¹Politico, ²Guardian, ³Euronews, ⁴Reuters, ⁵Al Jazeera and ⁶Tass.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by New York Times. While Russia enjoys Cuba's unconditional support in its clash with the West, Cuba is not part of the war in Ukraine and wouldn't make such claims against an ally unless it was seriously perturbed by the evidence it has seen.
• Narrative B, as provided by CNN. Though Cuba provided little information to back up its statement and Russia has yet to respond, the allegations are a rare moment of friction between an increasingly isolated Russia and an impoverished Cuba.

Predictions