Cuba’s Havana (AP) U.S. President Donald Trump’s new immigration restrictions prevented the Cuban women’s national volleyball team from participating in a competition in Puerto Rico.
The squad, which consists of 12 athletes, a referee, and many coaches, will not be able to attend the competition later this month after the Cuban Volleyball Federation said last week that their visa request was denied.
Laura Suarez, a member of the national squad, told The Associated Press, “I train every day, every hour of training is leading up to this and I dedicate myself to it, so it’s a huge disappointment.” I’ve been preparing for the tournament, so not being able to take part in it is incredibly frustrating.
Cuba was supposed to compete at Manat, Puerto Rico, as part of the NORCECA Women’s Final Four event. Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Costa Rica compete in the tournament, which grants ranking points that can be used to qualify for the Volleyball Nations League.
Dayana Martnez, another athlete, stated, “We were focused on the competition because it’s right there.” Being turned down for a visa when we get to the embassy has a big impact on us since that competition gives us points to raise our ranking.
Wilfredo Robinson, coach of the Cuban team, stated that his team will probably not be able to participate in the Nations League as a result of the ruling.
According to Robinson, each match earns points in the competition, which eventually adds up. We have another competition in September, and we won’t be able to make it if we arrive there needing to score 80 or 100 points.
Beginning in early June, the United States placed Cuba on a list of 12 nations having entry restrictions into the United States or its territories. People from Afghanistan, the Republic of Congo, Iran, Venezuela, and other countries are among them.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez posted on his X account that the denial of visas is a part of a racist and xenophobic list of visa restrictions.
The U.S. Embassy in Cuba told The Associated Press that it was unable to comment on individual cases due to its privacy laws, but that orders were being carried out to secure the borders and safeguard American communities and residents.
In 1994 and 1998, the Cuban women’s national team won consecutive world titles. Additionally, it won three consecutive Olympic golds in Sydney in 2000, Atlanta in 1996, and Barcelona in 1992.
Many more Cuban athletes who rely on international competitions—some of which must take place in the United States—to earn a spot in major championships and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles are likely to be impacted by the U.S. actions.
