Cuba makes Russian human trafficking arrests; CIA recruits Russian spies

On the same day Cuba announced the arrests of 17 people in an alleged human trafficking ring aimed at bolstering Russia’s military, the CIA renewed its push to turn some Russians into spies against their own government. The agency released a video titled “Why I made contact with the CIA – for myself” on social media Thursday, Sept. 7.

The video addresses officials in Moscow, asking them to tell the truth about a system the CIA has said is riddled with lying sycophants. In the video, an actor playing a Russian official enters a Russian government building and shows his pass above the double-headed eagle of Russia.

“Before I believed that the truth had some value… I insisted to everyone that it was unscrupulous to distort the truth in reports but those who rose through the ranks were those who did that very thing,” the voiceover said. Before detailing ways to contact the CIA, the agency added, “Those around you may not want to hear the truth. But we do… integrity has rewards.”

In July of 2023, CIA Director William Burns said disaffection among some Russians over the war in Ukraine has created a rare opportunity to recruit spies. The same dissatisfaction from Russians that the CIA is looking to utilize may have also forced Russia to participate in trafficking campaigns like the alleged one in Cuba.

Earlier in the week of Sept. 3, Cuba said its authorities were working to “neutralize and dismantle” the trafficking ring. The 17 people who were arrested are accused of luring young Cuban men to join the Russian military in its fight against Ukraine.

According to authorities, the trafficking group’s leader relied on two people living in Cuba to handle recruiting. Charges the group members are facing include:

• Human trafficking.
• Fighting as a mercenary.
• Hostile action against a foreign state.

Potential sentences from these charges range from up to 30 years in prison to the death penalty.