On Tuesday, Ukrainian lawmaker Maryan Zablotskiy suggested a "simultaneous humanitarian action" that could see the release of Cuban mercenaries captured in Ukraine in exchange for the release of political prisoners in Cuba. Additionally, the proposal includes sending the remains of 41 Cuban nationals who died on the warfront back to the island.
Speaking at a press conference in Miami, Florida, Zablotskiy, head of the Free Cuba Committee in the Ukrainian Parliament, articulated Kiev's willingness to consider this as a reciprocal humanitarian gesture between the two nations.
"We are prepared to release the Cuban mercenaries if there is an equivalent action to free Cuban political prisoners," he stated during a live broadcast by Cubanet on YouTube.
Conditional Exchange for Political Freedom
The legislator outlined two potential paths: Moscow could hand over Ukrainian prisoners in exchange for detained Cubans, or Havana could release some of the over 1,000 political prisoners on the island in return for their nationals captured by Ukrainian forces.
Zablotskiy confirmed that several Cubans remain detained in Ukraine, and more could follow. He assured that these prisoners are treated humanely.
"Some have told us it’s their first time eating three meals a day and that they prefer staying in a Ukrainian prison over returning to Cuba," he remarked.
The proposal also involves the repatriation of the remains of 41 Cuban fighters who died in the war, with Ukrainian authorities having identified their bodies.
"We can continue to identify bodies and inform families in Cuba about what happened to these men," Zablotskiy added.
Cubans Trapped by Russia
Zablotskiy accused Russia of obliging many Cubans, who signed contracts for a year of service in the Russian Army, to remain in combat, denying them the chance to return home.
He highlighted that since the invasion began, Russia has never requested the release of foreigners in prisoner exchanges with Ukraine, revealing the Kremlin's indifference towards its foreign allies.
Support for the Humanitarian Proposal
The conference also featured Orlando Gutiérrez-Boronat, leader of the Cuban Resistance Assembly (ARC); René Bolio, head of the Mexican Human Rights Commission; and Dragos Dolanescu from the Hemispheric Front for Freedom, among other activists and human rights advocates.
Gutiérrez-Boronat emphasized that Cubans form the largest foreign contingent fighting for Russia and criticized the Cuban regime for abandoning its nationals imprisoned in Ukraine. He thanked the Ukrainian Parliament for its support, noting that Kiev voted against the Cuban regime's UN resolution calling for an end to the U.S. embargo.
Political Prisoners on Ukraine's Release List
During the event, René Bolio presented a priority list of 19 Cuban political prisoners whose immediate release should accompany any humanitarian agreement. Among them are Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, Maykel Castillo "Osorbo," Saylí Navarro, Sissi Abascal, Lizandra Góngora, and Félix Navarro, all known for their peaceful activism and precarious health.
Cubanet published the names of the political prisoners the ARC asks to prioritize:
- Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara (artist sentenced to five years; inadequate medical treatment, deteriorating health).
- Maykel Castillo Pérez (musician and Latin Grammy winner, sentenced to nine years; serious threats to his life in prison).
- And others on the list provided.
Bolio stated, "We demand the absolute, unconditional, and immediate freedom of all Cuban political prisoners, but have selected the most urgent cases," also calling for guarantees that those released will not be re-incarcerated or expelled.
The Hemispheric Front for Freedom pledged logistical support to facilitate the repatriation or resettlement of Cuban prisoners who do not wish to return to the island.
"We are committed to finding a third country to receive the Cuban mercenaries currently held in Ukraine. They cannot return to Russia and do not want to return to Cuba," Dolanescu declared.
A Political Gesture with Moral Implications
This Ukrainian proposal is not merely a humanitarian negotiation but a symbolic blow to the Cuban regime, highlighting Havana's hypocrisy in sending its citizens to die for Russia while keeping over a thousand political prisoners on the island.
While the Cuban government remains silent about its nationals killed or detained in the conflict, Ukraine presents a gesture combining diplomacy, moral pressure, and humanitarianism, placing the regime in a challenging position: to choose between its Russian allies or the life and freedom of its own citizens.
Cuban Mercenaries in the War Against Ukraine
Ukrainian authorities and exile organizations estimate that up to 25,000 Cuban citizens have been recruited by Russia to fight in the invasion of Ukraine, a figure underscored by the identification of 39 deceased individuals named by Maryan Zablotskiy.
The main lure for many of these recruits is economic: according to Forbes, Russia offers salaries around $2,000 monthly, a staggering amount compared to the average $20 monthly wage in Cuba.
Despite the pay, reports reveal a web of deception and exploitation, with false job offers in Russia leading recruits to the front without military training or clear contracts. Many signed documents in Russian without official translation, leaving them legally defenseless.
The Ukrainian Defense Intelligence (HUR) describes the use of foreign fighters as a low-political-cost strategy for the Kremlin: if recruits from other countries die, there are no social benefits or pressure from disgruntled Russian families.
This approach, according to sources, helps conceal the internal impact of the conflict and sustains an unpopular war among Russians themselves.
In the field, Ukraine has captured several Cubans, with at least one admitting to being deceived with promises of a civilian job before being sent to fight.
Exile media have circulated partial lists of recruits and recruitment stories detailing networks of intermediaries, routes to Russia, and vulnerable conditions exploited by organizers.
The social dimension of this phenomenon stems from Cuba's structural crisis: shortages, blackouts, meager salaries, and the breakdown of the productive fabric push thousands of young people to take extreme risks.
Understanding the Cuban Mercenary Crisis
What is Ukraine's proposal regarding Cuban mercenaries?
Ukraine has proposed to release Cuban mercenaries captured in their country in exchange for the release of political prisoners in Cuba.
How many Cuban citizens are estimated to be fighting for Russia?
It is estimated that up to 25,000 Cuban citizens have been recruited by Russia to fight in the war against Ukraine.
What conditions do captured Cuban mercenaries face in Ukraine?
Captured Cuban mercenaries in Ukraine have reported being treated humanely, with some stating it's the first time they've had three meals a day.