Mexico City (EFE).- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on Thursday that her government is investigating the possible presence of Mexican cartel members in the war in Ukraine, following the circulation of videos referencing the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel.
«Yes, it was presented (the case of alleged Mexican criminals in Ukraine) to the security cabinet, and investigations are underway to determine whether the videos are authentic,» the president stated during her morning press conference.
Her remarks follow the release of a social media video showing alleged combatants in Ukraine making references to the CJNG and the Sinaloa Cartel faction known as La Chapiza.
Sheinbaum explained that authorities are attempting to establish how suspected members of Mexican criminal organizations may have joined the European conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
When asked about the possible motives of these individuals, she responded that «they are likely recruited,» without specifying by which entities or for what purposes.
The president noted that there is not yet certainty regarding the authenticity of the recordings or the channels through which Mexican nationals may have reached Ukrainian territory.
«They could be recruited by a private company participating in these conflicts, or by a government military entity,» she noted.
Furthermore, she specified that Mexico has not yet contacted Ukrainian authorities regarding the matter.
«No, not at the moment, but if necessary, the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs would do so,» she assured.
The comments also follow international reports regarding alleged ties between Latin American criminal organizations and fighters involved in the war in Ukraine.
In September, The Washington Post reported, citing United States and Mexican officials, that Mexican drug trafficking organizations were seeking to recruit Colombians with military experience in Ukraine to leverage their knowledge of drone technology.
Previously, in 2025, reports circulated regarding alleged members of Mexican cartels attempting to infiltrate foreign volunteer units fighting on the Ukrainian side to gain military expertise.
Sheinbaum reiterated that Mexican investigations must first determine the authenticity of the videos and subsequently establish how those individuals arrived at the conflict and their objectives. EFE
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