The Cuban government has formally rejected accusations by Washington linking Havana to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, dismissing the claims as entirely false and unfounded. In a statement published on social media, Cuba’s Foreign Ministry emphasized that the nation is not a party to the conflict and maintains no military personnel stationed in Ukraine or any other foreign country.
The pushback follows remarks made by U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz during events in New York. Waltz criticized European delegations for supporting Cuba in its opposition to the long-standing U.S. economic embargo, contending that Havana actively backs Russia’s invasion. He further alleged that Cuban authorities permit citizens from the island to fight as mercenaries for Moscow.
Cuba’s Foreign Ministry characterized the allegations as part of a coordinated disinformation campaign engineered to mislead international public opinion regarding the core principles of Cuban foreign policy. The diplomatic friction coincides with statements made by Ukraine at the United Nations, where Kyiv accused Russia of recruiting large numbers of Cuban citizens for its military forces.
According to the Ukrainian delegation, more than 1,000 Cuban nationals signed contracts with the Russian military between 2023 and 2025, positioning Cubans as one of the four largest contingents of foreign fighters serving within Russian ranks. Addressing these reports, the Cuban Foreign Ministry denied any institutional involvement by state authorities, maintaining that individuals participating in the conflict were recruited abroad by networks entirely unconnected to the Cuban government.
As proof of its stance, the ministry highlighted domestic investigative efforts and criminal prosecutions targeting international human trafficking rings engaged in military recruitment. Cuba maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy toward mercenary activity, according to the government. Authorities reported that domestic prosecutors and courts have investigated 17 cases related to the offense since 2023, resulting in criminal charges against 49 individuals, the vast majority of whom have already received prison sentences.
Alongside these denials, the Cuban government reaffirmed its official backing for a peaceful, diplomatic, and negotiated resolution to the war in Ukraine, advocating for constructive dialogue among all involved parties.
The public exchange of accusations precedes the annual U.N. General Assembly debate, where member states are slated to vote on a nonbinding resolution demanding an end to the U.S. economic embargo against Cuba. During a news conference in Havana, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla accused the United States of waging a campaign characterized by extreme pressure and political blackmail targeting various U.N. member nations.
Havana alleged that Washington has deployed coercive tactics, including threats of tariffs, visa restrictions directed at foreign diplomats, and the termination of international cooperation programs, in an effort to compel countries to alter their votes or withdraw their traditional support for the resolution condemning the embargo.
