'Give Me Back My Son': Panamanian Mothers' Plea as Sons Recruited to Russia Under False Pretenses

The desperate pleas of Panamanian mothers echo through the capital as they search for their sons, young men who traveled to Russia lured by promises of work and study, only to find themselves entangled in a conflict they never anticipated.

Marisol Mendieta's son, Michael, 20, left Panama on July 29, 2026, with assurances of work and educational opportunities. His last communication on August 24 was a plea for help to return home. Mendieta describes her son as having a maturity level below his age, making him susceptible to false promises, including one about operating drones in a low-risk capacity.

Similarly, Duval de León, 18, departed for Russia on July 1, initially believing he was going on a university scholarship offered by the Russian army. His mother, Yorgena Pérez, regrets not being able to stop him at the airport. Her last contact with Duval was on August 12, and she remains in agonizing uncertainty.

These cases are part of a larger trend, with Panamanian authorities reporting that around 30 citizens have been linked to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Of these, 21 are reportedly on the Russian side and nine on the Ukrainian side. The situation is compounded by nine reported disappearances and one fatality among Panamanian nationals. While seven have managed to return, the families of those still unaccounted for continue their anxious wait for answers and a path home.

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Devuélvanme a mi hijo, señor presidente. Ayuda, devuélvanme a mi hijo. Mi hijo es un niño especial, está enfermo, por favor ayúdenme.