Cuban baseball player Henry Urrutia said that national symbols do not belong to a government after the Colombian government on Tuesday denied the Cuban Professional Baseball Federation (FEPCUBE).
“The national anthem, the attributes, the flag do not belong to a Government, they belong to the people of its people and for its people and no matter what happens we will always take these things with us wherever we are and wherever we go. And NO ONE can take that away from us!!!”, said the man from Las Tunas, who plays in the Dominican Republic winter league, in a tweet.
The Colombian government declared on Tuesday that it does not support the 2024 Barranquilla Intercontinental Professional Baseball Series, and that it does not recognize the Cuban Professional Baseball Federation (FEPCUBE), in a clear show of support for the authorities of the Cuban regime.
“The Intercontinental Professional Baseball Series, organized in the City of Barranquilla starting January 26, 2024, by Team Rentería USA, is a private and invitational event. That is, it is not organized by the Colombian Baseball Federation, nor is it part of the events on the calendar of the World Baseball and Softball Confederation, the only organization endorsed by the International Olympic Committee," the Colombian Ministry of Sports indicated this Tuesday. (Mindeporte).
In its statement, the institution stated that it had rejected a collaboration proposal from the organizers of the event, Team Rentería, which is defined as a “[private] entity in charge of organizing, promoting, and enhancing the development of baseball in Colombia.”
"Because of the above, we inform that this event does not have, to date, funding from resources from the Ministry of Sports, nor with the endorsement of the COC, nor from the Colombian Baseball Federation, reiterating that, for the realization of this event "The requirements established in current Colombian sports legislation must be met," said the Colombian sports authorities.
In addition to disassociating itself from the event, the leftist government Gustavo Petro took the opportunity to show support and sympathy towards the authorities of the Cuban regime, who do not recognize and condemn the emergence of FEPCUBE.
“In addition to the above, the Ministry of Sports rejects the actions and demonstrations of the Cuban Professional Baseball Federation, which intends to use the name, representation and national symbols of the Republic of Cuba, without the respective authorization of the competent body of the country of origin and without having the recognition of the Colombian government or the sports authorities of our country,” indicated the Mindeporte statement.
The explicit support of the Colombian authorities for their Cuban counterparts made it clear that “the use of these symbols would be interpreted as a clear infringement of the constitutional and sporting rights of the Republic of Cuba.”
"Consequently, the Colombian government, represented by the Ministry of Sports, as well as the Colombian Olympic Committee exclusively and legitimately recognizes the Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation," concluded the statement from the ministry that directs Astrid Bibiana Rodríguez Cortés.
The statements of the Colombian government “do not affect or endanger the celebration of the tournament,” highlighted the Cuban sports journalist. Francys Romero. In a publication of his social networks, Romero also asked himself “since when does the name of Cuba and the symbols belong to the prevailing regime or do they mandate their correct use?”
“This is a statement with more pain than glory. Tomorrow no one will remember it,” stated the journalist in his publication, which aroused the support of dozens of followers enthusiastic about the possibility of a Cuban professional baseball team. which players, coaches and fans identify under the name “Patria y Vida”.
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