Mexico has launched an investigation into a video circulating on social media that appears to show two armed men claiming to belong to Mexican drug cartels and deployed in Ukraine, President Claudia Sheinbaum has said.
Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Sheinbaum said authorities were examining the authenticity of the footage and would investigate how the men had reached the conflict zone.
“We are reviewing the case, first to determine whether the video is authentic and, second, to see how these individuals ended up in that location,” she said.
The video, which surfaced on social media this week, shows two men in military gear identifying themselves as members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and La Chapiza, a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel.
In the footage, which lasts less than 30 seconds, the men chant the names of the two groups and shout “Slava Ukraini”, meaning “Glory to Ukraine”.
Sheinbaum said the video had been presented at a meeting of Mexico’s Security Cabinet, which includes representatives from the military, navy and security agencies.
If the footage is authentic, she said, authorities would seek to establish how Mexicans, including individuals who may belong to criminal groups, became involved in the war in Europe.
Scrutiny over possible recruitment
The announcement marks the first time the Mexican government has publicly addressed reports of Mexican nationals linked to organised crime fighting in Ukraine as mercenaries.
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, however, Mexican intelligence agencies have been concerned about the possible involvement of people with links to drug cartels in foreign fighting.
A 2025 report by French-based outlet Intelligence Online said Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) had opened an investigation at Mexico’s request into individuals suspected of joining Ukraine’s International Legion as volunteers to gain advanced experience in drone warfare.
The report linked the concerns to possible ties between the individuals and Mexican drug cartels. The allegations have not been independently verified.
