Cuban Teenagers Lured into Russia’s Military in Ukraine Still Missing
The parents of two Cuban teenagers who were lured into fighting in Ukraine say they haven’t heard from their sons in weeks. Alex Rolando Vegas Díaz and Andorf Antonio Velázquez García, both 19, flew to Russia in late August with promises of ‘construction work’ and better pay in Russia. However, they were handed weapons and sent to man Russia’s third line of defense instead of getting the expected construction jobs.
Their parents have expressed concern for their sons’ safety as they fainted from dehydration and malnourishment on the battlefield. The teenagers were last heard of being held as prisoners and were about to be sent back to the front line. The parents have been desperate to contact their sons, but the messages have gone unanswered.
The parents have attempted to reach out to the Cuban government and its president, as well as the Cuban embassy, but haven’t received any assistance. More than 1,000 Cubans may have been recruited to fight in Ukraine, according to the Miami-based Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba (FHRC).
The teenagers shared their experiences in an interview, revealing that they were forced to leave Cuba due to economic hardships and hoped to make money to support their families. They were taken to Russia after a Cuban woman bought their plane tickets. However, upon arrival, their passports were taken, and they were sent to a military training facility and integrated into a Russian unit.
The teenagers emphasize their difficult conditions, having to sleep in trenches and constantly being on guard against potential drone attacks. They were also stripped of their cell phones for fear of being located by drones. Despite requesting to return to Cuba, they were met with violence and threats. One of the teenagers caught pneumonia, and the other fainted, leading to their brief hospitalization and subsequent return to the front lines.
The FHRC is currently advocating for the teenagers and other Cubans fighting for Russia. However, they face challenges, as their involvement in Russia’s military and their citizenship may prevent them from claiming asylum in the EU.
