Drug cartels joining Russia and Ukraine in fighting from Central and South America? Mexico begins investigation

[São Paulo Jiji] Foreign nationals from more than 70 countries, including Japan, are said to have participated in the war between Russia and Ukraine, which has continued for more than four and a half years. Participants come from far-flung countries in Central and South America, and in addition to those who were tricked into participating, it is believed that some are members of drug cartels, and the governments of these countries are launching an investigation into the situation.

"We are verifying the authenticity of the video. If it is genuine, we will investigate how Mexican nationals, and likely members of criminal organizations, are being recruited into the conflict in Europe." Mexican President Sheinbaum said this at a press conference on the 8th.

What I had in mind was a video that was being spread on social media. A person who appears to be a member of a Mexican drug cartel is allegedly seen participating in a battle on the side of Ukrainian troops. Men in combat fatigues and blue armbands indicating they are on the side of the Ukrainian military are speaking in Spanish in the forest, saying things such as ``We have just completed our mission'' and ``Glory to Ukraine! Long live Mexico, Colombia and Panama!''.

According to an announcement from Ukraine, about 40% of the approximately 16,000 foreign volunteers on the Ukrainian side are citizens of Central and South American countries. On the Russian military side, more than 1,500 people from Central and South America are said to be participating in the fighting.

Despite the geographical distance, there are a large number of people from Central and South America, not only because of the large number of people in economic poverty, but also because of the existence of drug cartels that are trying to bring back to their home countries the latest drone attack technology acquired on the battlefield.

However, it seems that there is no guarantee that they will be able to return to their home country safely. The Peruvian government is conducting an investigation into its citizens who traveled to Russia. To date, 459 people have joined the Russian army, of whom 11 have died and 114 are missing. Three people were reportedly taken prisoner by the Ukrainian side.

Similar investigations are being carried out in Bolivia, Argentina and Panama, where some people say they went to Russia to work in agriculture or construction, but were forced to join the fighting. The International Federation for Human Rights (headquartered in Paris) points out that systematic recruitment is taking place in Cuba and Colombia. Foreign fighters are in a vulnerable position, as they are assigned dangerous combat missions and are unlikely to be subject to prisoner exchanges, and they are calling on governments around the world to strengthen their exit controls.