Mexico investigates video of suspected cartel members in Ukraine

Summarised from Independent World's report · Updated 9 Oct, 13:08 · Archive

Mexico is investigating claims that members of drug cartels have travelled to Ukraine to fight as mercenaries.

Mexico is investigating unverified video footage appearing to show members of drug cartels fighting as mercenaries in Ukraine. President Claudia Sheinbaum said the government is reviewing the case to determine whether the video is authentic and how Mexican individuals possibly linked to criminal groups became involved in the armed conflict in Europe.

One person in the video appears to suggest that other fighters belong to two of Mexico's largest drug cartels: La Chapiza, a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. The men in the footage chant slogans associated with the gangs and say: 'Glory to Ukraine. Long live Mexico, long live Colombia, long live Panama.' Sheinbaum said the individuals 'could be recruited by a private company that takes part in these conflicts, by an army, or by a government.' In June 2025, Intelligence Online reported that Mexico's National Intelligence Centre had warned Ukraine that individuals linked to drug cartels had volunteered to join Ukraine's International Legion, possibly to learn drone operations for use against rival cartels and Mexican security forces.

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• Mexico investigates video showing suspected drug cartel members in UkrainePresident Claudia Sheinbaum said the government is now reviewing the footageIndependent World · 9 Oct, 11:25

In this story: Mexico · Ukraine · Claudia Sheinbaum · La Chapiza · Sinaloa Cartel · Jalisco New Generation Cartel

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