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Original article: EE.UU. financió a agencia que acusa a Rusia de entrenar a 1.000 influencers para desestabilizar América Latina

By Alex Fajardo*

Recently, a report from the EFE Agency gained traction, claiming that the Kremlin, via RT en Español, has trained over 1,000 content creators, journalists, and ‘influencers’ to spread misinformation across eight Latin American countries, including Chile. This report, presented by the Digital News Association (DNA) in the United States, also mentions nearly 200 Spanish-speaking content creators based in Russia. Journalist Jeffrey Scott Shapiro notes that an artificial intelligence (AI) platform was used to monitor stories being published in Spanish containing «components of the Russian state-sponsored media apparatus.»

Self-taught journalist and Cuban opposition figure Gelet Martínez explains that the Russian government employs tactics such as emotional manipulation using ‘anti-imperialist’ narratives, informational bias, and the propagation of conspiracy theories, among others. These strategies aim to polarize societies, foster distrust in local governments, and fragment social cohesion.

An Agency with an Ideological Agenda

While the report itself has not been made public, its authors are known: journalist Jeffrey Scott Shapiro, coordinator of DNA’s Russian Propaganda Alert, and Gelet Martínez, founder of ADN Cuba, ADN América, and CEO of Digital News Association (DNA).

The media outlets established by Martínez, ADN Cuba and ADN América, are known for opposing the regimes of Cuba and Venezuela. Most of their political, economic, crime, and human rights news aligns with this mission. This is particularly relevant given that Martínez fled Cuba with her family due to dissent with the regime. Consequently, they view Russia as an enemy, given its historical role as a protective ally of the Caribbean nation.

Meanwhile, established journalist Jeffrey Scott Shapiro currently writes for the Washington Times, focusing on international geopolitics, particularly against Russia, Iran, and Cuba. In one of his latest columns, for instance, he urges Trump to overthrow the regime in Iran in order to liberate both the Iranian people and the world from terrorism.

Karina Lichagina, a Russian citizen and director of the Russian Historical Club in Chile, argues that “this is a baseless accusation aimed at discrediting Russia” and asserts that “throughout its history, Russia has not been the one to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries across different continents, nor does it seek to destabilize the current order by organizing and funding uprisings while imposing its view as the only valid and acceptable one.”

U.S. Government Funding

Additionally, it has been confirmed that the agency behind the report received direct funding from the U.S. government.

The government site usaspending.gov reveals that the Digital News Association (DNA) received a total of $1.5 million between 2022 and 2024 for a project titled “Cuban Voices: Working for Greater Information Freedom,” funded through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which was dismantled by the Trump administration in 2025.

It is important to remember that Gelet Martínez is the CEO of DNA, and her primary outlet, ADN Cuba, opposes the communist government led by Raúl Castro. This situation resembles the controversy unfolding in Argentina, where the Russian government faces accusations of financing media and press releases to criticize the government of Javier Milei and promote an anti-Ukrainian perspective among the Argentine populace.

In this case, it is claimed that “The Company” received a budget of $283,000 to publish about 250 news pieces, analyses, and opinion articles across more than 20 digital media outlets between June and October 2024. Thus, DNA appears to have obtained five times more funding to support its opposing media platform in Cuba.

Attorney and political scientist Nataly Campusano notes, “it’s a known strategy to raise external enemies to draw attention away from internal problems. In Argentina, it’s also the government promoting this hypothesis, so it is essential for them to substantiate their claims. The dissemination of false information is extremely sensitive; it affects the public’s ability to form opinions and undermines the stability of our democracies.”

Interests Behind the Report

Agency EFE, the organization that initiated the original statement accusing Russia of training influencers, also reviewed the report through its channel EFE Verifica, suggesting that the figure of “1,000 influencers” originated from RT’s own website. Through the initiative “RT CompaRTe,” they claim to have held numerous workshops and internships for communication professionals and journalists in Latin America.

While EFE Verifica points out instances where Europe has sanctioned the Russian outlet for misinformation, they admit that the report concerning Latin America is neither public nor traceable on any platform; they have also found no evidence supporting the alleged results of the report.

Without a publicly accessible report, it’s impossible to analyze its content to confirm or refute its claims. In this context, it’s crucial to consider who authored and financed the report, casting doubt on its objectivity, rigor, and perhaps even its truthfulness.

* Alex Fajardo is a journalist, holding a diploma in Political Studies from Sciences Po Rennes and a master’s degree (c) in History from PUCV.

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