Russia Expands Propaganda and Intelligence Operations in Mexico

Russian propaganda has significantly expanded its footprint in Mexico following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to recent findings by the Center for Countering Disinformation of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council. This escalation represents what American diplomats describe as a “sudden and aggressive” increase in Russian information influence designed to drive a wedge between Mexico and the United States.

The Kremlin’s disinformation campaign has focused heavily on anti-American and anti-Ukrainian narratives, with Russian media outlets RT and Sputnik leading the charge. These operations aim to undermine U.S.-Mexico relations while simultaneously discrediting international support for Ukraine.

Among the false narratives being disseminated is the claim that “Ukraine and the U.S. are recruiting Mexican and Colombian cartels to wage war against Russia.” This fabrication has gained traction among certain local politicians and journalists, serving Moscow’s strategic objective of portraying Western nations as aggressors while positioning Russia as a victim of international hostility.

Security experts have identified a sophisticated disinformation operation codenamed “Doppelgänger” as part of this broader effort. This campaign specifically targets U.S.-Mexico relations while distorting coverage of the ongoing war in Ukraine and undermining the legitimacy of international support for Kyiv.

The Russian information penetration strategy extends beyond traditional propaganda channels, with Moscow actively cultivating partnerships with local Mexican media platforms. The Mexican Journalists Club has emerged as one notable collaborator, regularly publishing content sourced from Russian and Cuban state media. Representatives of the club have justified these publications as being based on “open content proposals,” but security analysts view this relationship as a conduit for Russian narratives to infiltrate local discourse.

“This collaboration model allows Russian information outlets to more easily integrate their narratives into the local information space,” the Center for Countering Disinformation explained in its assessment of the situation.

The relationship between RT and the Mexican Journalists Club has deepened through periodic trainings and lectures presented as professional development opportunities for local journalists. This approach enables Russian state media to position themselves as providers of “alternative information and perspectives,” effectively laundering propaganda and lending it legitimacy with Mexican audiences.

The Kremlin’s strategy extends beyond the information domain. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has substantially increased its intelligence presence in Mexico. Reports indicate that Moscow has deployed experienced intelligence operatives to the country under diplomatic cover, suggesting a coordinated approach that combines information warfare with traditional espionage.

“Russia combines information, political, and intelligence tools here to strengthen anti-American sentiment, undermine support for Ukraine, and increase its presence in the region,” noted the Center for Countering Disinformation.

This multi-faceted Russian campaign comes at a time when Latin America has emerged as an important geopolitical battleground in the context of the Ukraine war. For Moscow, cultivating anti-Western sentiment in Mexico—which shares a 2,000-mile border with the United States—represents a strategic opportunity to pressure Washington close to home while diverting attention and resources from the conflict in Eastern Europe.

The targeting of Mexico aligns with broader Russian efforts to expand influence in Latin America, where historical anti-American sentiment in some quarters provides fertile ground for Russian narratives that position Moscow as a counterweight to U.S. influence in the region.