Russian Spies Are Moving Closer to America. Here’s Why It Matters to You.

 

U.S. Intelligence Keeps Watch As Russian Spies Expand Across Latin America

     When most Americans think of Russian spies, they picture secret meetings in Washington, Moscow, or Europe. But Moscow is also looking for opportunities much closer to the United States, across Latin America.

     Why should Americans care? Because Russian intelligence officers use contacts in Latin American countries to learn about U.S. government activities, recruit people who know American secrets, and spread false stories designed to influence public opinion. Those efforts could put U.S. businesses, universities, government agencies, and national security at risk.

     Mexico is important because it shares a long border with the United States. Officers from Russia’s GRU military intelligence service and SVR foreign intelligence agency use embassy jobs and business identities to make connections and gather information. They might strike up a conversation at a reception or approach someone through a business deal.  What looks like ordinary networking could be the first step toward recruiting an informant.

     There’s another concern. Security experts warn that Russian spies use migration routes through Mexico to sneak into the United States. That doesn't mean ordinary Russian migrants are spies. Most are simply looking for safety or a better life. The worry is that trained Russian intelligence officers could blend in with legitimate travelers and slip past U.S. border security.

     And Russia has already shown how far its spies can get using fake identities. Take Sergei Cherkasov, a Russian GRU operative who spent years pretending to be a Brazilian citizen named Viktor Muller Ferreira. His carefully invented background helped him gain admission to Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, D.C.   He later secured an internship at the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands, but Dutch intelligence exposed him before he could start.

     In July 2026, a Brazilian judge ordered Cherkasov deported, reportedly to Russia. The United States wanted him extradited to face charges filed in 2023, and the State Department strongly criticized Brazil's decision.  However, the deportation order didn't establish that he had actually returned to Russia. His case shows how a Russian spy using a fake Latin American identity could gain access to respected universities and international institutions, potentially putting sensitive information at risk.

   Now look at Nicaragua. Russia acknowledges having military advisers and specialists there, and Nicaragua authorized 230 Russian military personnel to enter the country between July and December 2026. Moscow claims they're there to provide military training, disaster relief, and humanitarian assistance. But officials in neighboring Costa Rica and regional security experts are concerned about Russia's growing military presence and what Moscow might be getting in return.

     These military and police relationships give Russian spies valuable contacts, access to sensitive information, and opportunities to expand their spying operations. Russia's growing influence in Central America, so close to the United States, is something American intelligence needs to watch carefully.

     Yes, Americans should care. Russian spies who steal secrets from U.S. defense contractors could expose advanced military technology. Those who infiltrate American research institutions could steal valuable scientific discoveries. And Russian disinformation campaigns could spread false information that divides Americans and weakens trust in their government. Moscow doesn't need armed spies on American streets to threaten our national security.

  That growing Russian threat in Latin America is also the theme of my spy thriller Crimson Shadows, book four of my CIA Spymaster Short Story Series. In the story, CIA operative Corey Pearson and his team uncover a plot involving Russian intelligence officers, a powerful drug cartel, and a rogue Panamanian general. Their mission is to stop Moscow from gaining a dangerous foothold in Panama. To do that, they infiltrate a heavily guarded jungle plantation, gather intelligence, and join a CIA special operations assault involving drones, Apache helicopters, and a fierce firefight.

     The story is fiction, but the danger of Russia expanding its influence across Latin America is real. While Corey and his team battle Russian-backed enemies in Panama, real Russian intelligence officers are working to establish contacts and expand Moscow's reach throughout the region. Those connections could eventually help Russia steal American secrets, influence governments, and threaten U.S. national security. That's why what happens in Latin America matters to every American.

     Crimson Shadows delivers its action in just 84 pages, but the underlying question extends well beyond the story: What happens when Moscow turns neighboring countries into platforms for operations aimed at America?

     The answer should concern everyone. Protecting national security doesn’t stop at the U.S. border. It starts with recognizing how threats can develop long before they arrive.

 

Robert Morton is a member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and writes about the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC). He also writes the Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster Series, which blends his knowledge of real-life intelligence operations with gripping fictional storytelling. His work offers readers an insider’s glimpse into the world of espionage, inspired by the complexities and high-stakes realities of the intelligence community.