Russia is reportedly increasing its espionage efforts in Mexico, with the United States as its primary target. Recent reports from US intelligence officials suggest the Kremlin has significantly expanded its diplomatic and intelligence personnel in Mexico City, raising concerns in Washington about the implications for US national security.

Despite limited trade relations between Russia and Mexico, the number of personnel at the Russian embassy has grown substantially. According to NBC News, this increase is believed to serve a dual purpose: intensifying intelligence operations against the US and spreading propaganda to weaken support for Ukraine. This resurgence of Russian activity comes as Russian intelligence officers have been expelled en masse from European capitals following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

CIA Director William Burns recently highlighted that Russia is using Mexico as a launchpad for its intelligence operations in North America. "They’re looking for places to go and operate, and Mexico provides an ideal environment," Burns noted during a recent talk in London. He stressed that the US government remains highly vigilant about Russian espionage activities in Mexico.

Mexico's geographic proximity and its neutral stance on global conflicts, particularly the ongoing war in Ukraine, make it an enticing location for Moscow. Mexican President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum recently declined an invitation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to visit Ukraine after Zelensky expressed clear disappointment with Mexico’s position, particularly after Russian military personnel were included in Mexico’s recent Independence Day parade. 

Sheinbaum, who will take office on October 1, reaffirmed that Mexico’s foreign policy adheres to principles of "non-intervention and peaceful conflict resolution, as enshrined in the country’s Constitution." This stance reflects Mexico's long-standing "Estrada Doctrine," which has guided its diplomatic approach since the 1930s.

Throughout his presidency, Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) kept a balanced position, condemning Russia's invasion but opposing the supply of arms to Ukraine. His administration has consistently advocated for dialogue between Kyiv and Moscow, although these calls have gone unanswered by Ukrainian officials. AMLO has also maintained ties with Kremlin regional allies Cuba and Venezuela, even though relations with Caracas have soured after President Nicolas Maduro's recent disputed election.

General Glen VanHerck, head of US Northern Command, has underscored the gravity of the situation. He warned that Russia’s GRU (Main Intelligence Directorate) has a significant presence in Mexico, using it as a strategic hub for its operations targeting the US. “The largest portion of GRU members outside of Russia is currently in Mexico, closely monitoring US movements and opportunities,” VanHerck revealed during a Senate hearing in 2022.

Russia's expanding footprint in Mexico goes beyond espionage. Moscow has been actively using disinformation to influence public opinion in Mexico. Russian state media, particularly RT, has been pushing narratives designed to undermine international support for Ukraine. In one instance, the Russian ambassador to Mexico falsely claimed that the US was recruiting members of Mexican drug cartels to fight in Ukraine, a narrative parroted by some Mexican media outlets.

Former CIA officers have expressed concerns that Mexico's relatively "benign environment" allows Russian intelligence to operate with fewer risks than in the US or Europe. "Mexico provides an ideal location for Russian agents to gather intelligence, train operatives, and maintain contact with informants, while avoiding the close scrutiny they would face in the US," said Douglas London, a former senior CIA operations officer.

Even though Russian espionage activities are increasingly growing in Mexico, the US is hardly a passive victim. Washington has been actively supporting Ukraine through military aid and intelligence operations, while also conducting its own extensive surveillance on Russian activities. As both superpowers leverage Mexico as a strategic outpost, the complex web of espionage and counter-espionage underscores the high stakes of the war taking place far away across the Atlantic.