Russia Trained 1,000 Latin American Influencers to Spread Disinformation, Report Finds

Russia Has Trained Over 1,000 Latin American Influencers to Spread Disinformation, Report Finds

Russia has trained more than 1,000 content creators, journalists, and influencers across eight Latin American countries to spread disinformation, according to a new report released by the Digital News Association (DNA) in the United States.

The report, published on March 31, details how these communicators have been systematically trained by RT en Español, Russia’s state-run Spanish-language media outlet, to disseminate targeted information throughout the region. The network spans Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Venezuela—countries representing a diverse cross-section of Latin America’s political landscape.

Jeffrey Scott Shapiro, the investigative journalist who coordinated DNA’s Russian Propaganda Alert initiative, revealed that beyond these locally-based influencers, Moscow maintains nearly 200 additional Spanish-speaking content creators within Russia itself, specifically tasked with creating and distributing content aimed at Latin American audiences.

This revelation comes amid growing concerns about foreign influence operations in Latin America, a region where social media penetration has increased dramatically over the past decade. Social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and TikTok have become primary news sources for many Latin Americans, creating fertile ground for the spread of misinformation.

The targeting of these eight specific countries appears strategically significant. Several, including Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, have historically maintained close ties with Russia, while others like Colombia and Chile represent more contested information environments where Russia may be seeking to expand its influence.

Media experts note that this approach—training local voices rather than simply broadcasting Russian perspectives—represents a sophisticated evolution in information warfare tactics. By utilizing authentic Latin American communicators who understand local contexts, Russian messaging can be tailored to resonate more effectively with target audiences.

“What makes this approach particularly effective is that audiences aren’t receiving information from identifiably Russian sources,” explains Dr. Maria Fernandez, a disinformation researcher at the University of Buenos Aires who was not involved in the DNA report. “They’re hearing narratives that align with Russian interests from faces and voices they recognize and trust.”

The report comes at a time when Russian state media has significantly expanded its Spanish-language operations. RT en Español has invested heavily in its Latin American presence since 2009, establishing itself as a major media player in the region. Unlike its English-language counterpart, which has faced restrictions in many Western countries following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, RT’s Spanish-language operations have continued to grow relatively unimpeded.

The training of influencers reportedly focuses on several key narratives, including criticism of U.S. foreign policy, skepticism toward Western democratic institutions, and promotion of narratives that align with Russian geopolitical interests. These include topics like NATO expansion, sanctions against Russia, and positive portrayal of Russian economic and political systems.

The DNA report highlights the challenge that traditional media and fact-checking organizations face in countering such well-organized influence operations. Unlike obvious propaganda, content created by local influencers often blends factual reporting with subtle narrative manipulation, making it difficult to identify and counter.

Regional organizations like the Inter American Press Association have expressed concern about the findings, calling for increased media literacy efforts and greater transparency around foreign government funding of media operations in Latin America.

The U.S. State Department has previously warned about Russian information operations in Latin America, describing them as part of a broader strategy to undermine U.S. influence in what Moscow sees as a key geopolitical battleground. This report provides some of the most concrete evidence to date of the scale and sophistication of those efforts.

As digital platforms continue to evolve and content creation becomes increasingly democratized, the challenge of maintaining information integrity appears likely to intensify across the region.