“In Cuba, the situation is very difficult and we are seeking an improvement in our lives and for our sport,” said rower Félix Puentes Batista in statements to the SNT channel in Paraguay, where the four Cuban athletes who recently left the national delegation spoke for the first time since their defection.
The three Cuban rowers Félix Puentes Batista, Robert Landy Fernández Agramonte, and Keiler Ávila Núñez decided not to return with the official delegation that participated in the Junior Pan American Games Asunción 2025. Instead, they expressed their intention to remain in Paraguay and seek asylum.
“We want to continue practicing rowing. If given the opportunity, we will represent Paraguay,” said Robert Fernández during the interview.
He also assured that, although his family on the island did not receive the news well at first, they eventually understood his decision: "They know that what I want is to improve and be able to help them too in Cuba."
Young people stated that they received support from Paraguayan citizens and members of the Cuban community in the South American country.
Everyone abandoned the Cuban delegation with only the clothes they were wearing and without passports, which has made their first days outside of Cuban state control difficult.
The Cuban shot putter Emanuel Ramírez also expressed his desire to stay in Paraguay and continue his sports career there.
"They are not missing; they left of their own accord."
Camilo Pérez, president of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee, publicly clarified last week that the athletes are neither missing nor have they been kidnapped. “They left their delegation voluntarily. We learned of this through communication from the Cuban delegation and it was us who filed the corresponding report,” he stated to the local press.
The Minister of the Interior of Paraguay, Enrique Riera, confirmed that the four athletes, all of legal age, expressed their desire to settle in that country.
The handball player Suannet de la Caridad Nápoles Jiménez and the judoka Jonathan Delgado also deserted during these Pan American Games. The six young athletes are adapting to their host country, facing an winter they are not accustomed to.
In the interview, they did not mention how their procedures are progressing to present themselves before the National Refugee Commission to initiate the process of applying for political asylum in Paraguay, but all four interviewees agree that their intention is to stay in that country.
First steps outside of Cuban control
Robert Fernández mentioned that, with the help of Carlos Carrera, a member of the Paraguayan Academy of Mixology, they are organizing support activities for Cuban athletes.
Next Saturday, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., there will be a gathering for individuals interested in helping them, as they are in need of clothing, food, and housing.
"We are looking for rowing clubs that would like to integrate us into their teams," Fernández stated.
The rowing team brought home the first medal for Cuba
Before their desertion, the rowers were part of the team that won Cuba's first medal at the 2025 Junior Pan American Games in Asunción.
The eight-person rowing team with coxswain earned a bronze medal with a time of 5:45.96 minutes, finishing behind Chile and Brazil.
Sports leaks: an increasingly common trend
In recent years, it has become increasingly common for Cuban athletes to desert during international events. In November 2023, at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, five hockey players and a hurdler left the official delegation.
Behind each escape, there are personal stories marked by uncertainty and the quest for a future with more freedoms. The Paraguayan Olympic Committee has refrained from commenting on the political background of the case, but the situation reflects a growing phenomenon that transcends the realm of sports.
So far, Paraguayan authorities have not provided details about the athletes' migration status or whether they will receive institutional support or aid from human rights organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Defection of Cuban Athletes in Paraguay
Why did the Cuban athletes decide to stay in Paraguay?
Cuban athletes have decided to stay in Paraguay in search of better living and sporting conditions. According to rower Félix Puentes Batista, the situation in Cuba is very difficult, and they are seeking opportunities to continue their athletic careers with greater freedoms. They also expressed their intention to apply for asylum in Paraguay.
What support have Cuban athletes received in Paraguay?
Cuban athletes have received support from Paraguayan citizens and the Cuban community residing in the country. Support activities are being organized for them, including the collection of clothing, food, and accommodation, with the assistance of local community members like Carlos Carrera.
How was the defection of Cuban athletes at the 2025 Junior Pan American Games in Asunción?
Cuban athletes took advantage of their participation in the 2025 Junior Pan American Games in Asunción to leave the delegation. They decided not to return to the assigned hotels and announced their decision to stay in Paraguay, reflecting a growing trend of defections during international events.
What is the current situation regarding the asylum applications of Cuban athletes in Paraguay?
The asylum process for Cuban athletes in Paraguay has not yet been officially initiated. However, the athletes have expressed their intention to start the process with the National Refugee Commission once they have the necessary legal advice.
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