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The Cuban Athletics Federation complained this Friday that the United States Embassy in Cuba denied visas to part of the delegation that would participate in the 2025 World Indoor Masters Athletics Championship.
In a statement released this Friday on the website Jit, the federation announced that the rejection of visas prevented almost all of the athletes from attending the event held from March 23 to 30 in Gainesville, Florida.
The competition was intended for retired athletes aged between 35 and 89 years. The Cuban team, they said, was made up of 16 individuals (12 athletes, one delegate, and one journalist), but they did not specify who they were.
The note issued by the INDER states that the delegation consisted of 16 people, including two residents of the United States.
After creating passports for those requiring a visa, they attended an interview on February 25. Then, U.S. authorities denied visas to four of the applicants.
Subsequently, on March 31, after the event had concluded, the Embassy returned the remaining passports, also with visa denials. Only the two residents in the United States were able to participate in the event.
The United States government denied visas in February to dozens of officials from the Cuban regime and suspended applications in several categories.
Dozens of passports were returned without being stamped, and a group of visa categories used for state officials and their dependencies was suspended.
Usually, representatives from Cuba in sectors such as culture, health, education, science, and sports travel abroad with an official passport, managed by their respective organizations and with the necessary visas.
Among those affected was the basketball team that did not receive visas to fly to Puerto Rico, where they were scheduled to play their final match of Group D in the qualifying round for the FIBA AmeriCup 2025.
Only two Cuban players had visas to enter Puerto Rico, which prevented the match from taking place.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Visa Denial for the Cuban Athletics Delegation
Why did the United States deny visas to the Cuban delegation for the World Athletics Championship?
The United States denied visas as part of a broader policy of restrictions on Cuban regime officials, affecting participation in international events. This decision is part of a strategy to limit bilateral interactions in areas such as sports, culture, and education.
How many Cuban athletes were able to compete in the 2025 World Masters Indoor Athletics Championship?
Only two Cuban athletes were able to compete in the event, as they were the only members of the delegation residing in the United States and did not need a visa from Cuba to participate in the competition held in Gainesville, Florida.
How did the visa rejections affect other Cuban sports?
The denial of visas also affected the Cuban basketball team, which was unable to compete in their final qualifying match for the FIBA AmeriCup 2025 in Puerto Rico. Only two players had visas, which resulted in an automatic forfeit according to FIBA rules.
What is the impact of visa restrictions on sports exchanges between Cuba and the United States?
Visa restrictions have created significant challenges for sports exchanges between Cuba and the United States, impacting not only athletics and basketball but also other sports like baseball. This reflects the ongoing political tensions and the logistical complications faced by Cuban delegations.
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