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Cuban Women’s Volleyball Team Denied Visas, Misses Key Tournament
The Cuban women’s national volleyball team was unable to participate in the NORCECA Women’s Final Four tournament in Manatí, Puerto Rico, after their visa applications were denied. The team, which includes 12 athletes, a referee, and coaches, was informed of the decision last week, dashing their hopes of competing.
“The disappointment is huge,” shared national team player Laura Suarez. “I train every day, every hour, for this.
It’s truly disappointing to miss the competition after all the preparation.” Teammate Dayana Martínez echoed the sentiment: “We were focused on the competition…
Arriving at the embassy and being denied the visa affects us a lot because that competition gives us points to improve our ranking.”
The tournament, featuring teams from Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Costa Rica, offers crucial ranking points for qualification into the Volleyball Nations League. Coach Wilfredo Robinson expressed concern that missing this tournament will likely prevent the team from participating in the Nations League altogether. He explained that the points earned at the tournament are essential for their overall ranking, impacting their ability to qualify for future events.
The visa denials stem from recently tightened U.S. travel restrictions impacting citizens from several countries, including Cuba. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez criticized the new restrictions, calling them “racist and xenophobic.”
The U.S. Embassy in Havana declined to comment on specific cases, citing privacy concerns, but confirmed that new directives are in place to protect U.S. borders and citizens.
This situation carries significant implications for Cuban athletes who depend on international competitions, including those held in the U.S., for qualification in major tournaments like the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The Cuban women’s team has a storied history, with consecutive world championships in 1994 and 1998 and three Olympic gold medals. This recent setback underscores the challenges faced by Cuban athletes in the current political climate.