Panama Steps Up Diplomatic Push to Repatriate Citizens Tied to Russia-Ukraine War
PANAMA CITY, August 13, 2026 – Panama is intensifying consular and diplomatic efforts to locate and assist Panamanian citizens who may have been recruited into forces connected to the Russia-Ukraine war, according to Metro Libre.
Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha said the government has maintained work on the cases since November 2025, using family reports and consular verification to estimate the number of affected citizens.
The minister said preliminary information points to roughly 60 Panamanians linked to Russian forces and 17 linked to Ukrainian forces, while stressing that the figures are not final.
Two Panamanians have already returned after coordination involving President Jose Raul Mulino, career diplomat Alfonso Rodriguez and a route through Ukraine and Amsterdam, the report said.
The Foreign Ministry has made formal requests to Russia and Ukraine to verify the condition, location and legal status of other Panamanians and to facilitate returns for those who are alive and want to leave military service.
Two repatriated citizens described being contacted through social media with misleading job offers, losing access to passports and phones, and being pressured into contracts they could not understand, Metro Libre reported.
Martinez-Acha said the alleged recruitment in Panama is already under investigation by the Public Ministry and urged the public not to fall for deceptive overseas job offers.
Why it matters
The case combines consular protection, alleged recruitment networks, family safety and Panama response to an international conflict.
What happens next
Panama says it will continue pressing through diplomatic channels while prosecutors examine whether recruitment activity occurred inside the country.
