Peruvian Foreign Minister Carlos Espa voiced concern in Moscow on Monday over citizens enlisted in Russia for the war in Ukraine, Agerpres reported, citing AFP. Talking with Sergei Lavrov, he described the “urgent and often desperate situation” of Peruvians who left for the front line.

“I came to Russia on behalf of the families of these more than 459 Peruvians,” Espa said, arguing relatives have a right to know whether fighters are “alive, dead or prisoners of war.” His visit spans political, humanitarian and consular files, access to the wounded and faster repatriation of the dead.

In October a Peruvian court ordered 14 months of pre-trial detention for a man accused of human trafficking: he allegedly promised fake jobs, then sent victims to fight with Russian forces in Ukraine.

Amnesty International reported in September that Russia had recruited thousands of fighters from countries including Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Sri Lanka and South Africa. Prosecutors in Peru and Bolivia are investigating networks; Colombia’s foreign ministry says it has been told about some 800 citizens in similar situations.

Russia’s embassy in Lima acknowledged in April that several Peruvians had signed military service contracts with the Russian army, but insisted the choices were voluntary.

Espa’s trip comes amid pressure from families and Latin American criminal probes into recruitment for the Ukrainian front.

Image: Government Palace, Lima (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0).

Sources consulted: Peru concerned over citizens enlisted by Russia for war in Ukraine — Agerpres.