The United States government denied visas to eight members of the Cuban delegation who will participate in the VI World Baseball Classic, a tournament that will begin on March 6 and in which the Cuba team will compete in Group A based in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The denial does not affect players on the official roster, but rather coaches and officials of Cuban state sports.
Among the names confirmed by the Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation (FCBS) whose visa has been denied are:
-Juan Reinaldo Pérez Pardo – President of the FCBS.
-Carlos del Pino Muñoz – General Secretary of the FCBS.
-Pedro Luis Lazo Iglesias – Pitching coach.
-Raúl Fornés – First Vice President of INDER.
The other four affected members were not publicly identified, although they were part of the delegation with specific roles within the team.
In a statement dated February 25 in Havana, the FCBS announced that it was informed that “the United States government denied visas to eight members of the delegation formed to represent Cuba at the VI World Baseball Classic.”
According to the official note, “the list includes the President and the Secretary General of the FCBS, Juan Reinaldo Pérez Pardo and Carlos del Pino Muñoz, as well as the pitching coach and a glory of our sport, Pedro Luis Lazo Iglesias.”
Add that they, like "the other four affected, are part of the delegation with specific functions, established by the organizers for all the invited countries."
The federation challenged the legal basis of the decision and stated that the U.S. response came "more than a month after such requests were submitted."
According to the text, the measure "turns its back on the reasons that support them, on the most fundamental principles of sports, and on the commitments made by host countries of events of this nature."
Washington would have invoked Section 243 (d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. On this point, the FCBS stated that “citing as a cause what is established in Section 243 (d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of that country disrespects the essence of the sport and the inherent responsibility of its participants, placing our delegation at a clear disadvantage.”
He also stated that “it is false that Cuba does not cooperate with the United States on immigration matters.”
The sports organization also noted that this refusal adds to other challenges faced during the formation of the team.
They argued that the payroll integration process was subject to "deadlines different from those established for the other invited countries", because the organizers needed permission from the U.S. government to officially invite Cuba to the event.
"In light of this situation, the FCBS will analyze how to proceed and will inform in a timely manner," concludes the statement.
The reaction of Pedro Luis Lazo
One of the affected, former pitcher Pedro Luis Lazo from Pinar del Río, publicly expressed his disappointment for not being able to accompany the team.
“I would have loved to be with Team Cuba at the World Classic, but unfortunately, others decided that it wouldn't be so,” he stated.
"Very unfair, but we must keep moving forward with our heads held high. I will continue to support from a distance as if I were there with them. Confident that we can achieve a great result. That's the most important thing," he added.
Despite the setback, he assured that he will continue to support the team.
The team is keeping its schedule
La negativa de visado no compromete la presencia de los peloteros en el torneo. Previamente se informó que el equipo Cuba ya contaba con la documentación necesaria para viajar a Estados Unidos rumbo al Clásico Mundial 2026.
As planned, the team will travel to Arizona on February 28, where they will have exhibition games against the Cincinnati Reds and the Kansas City Royals as part of the Spring Training schedule.
Subsequently, they will travel to Puerto Rico to compete in the first phase of the tournament against Puerto Rico, Panama, Colombia, and Canada, in a round-robin format.
The roster combines veteran figures and players with international experience.
Alexei Ramírez, 44 years old, will be the oldest player in the tournament. The lineup features names such as Yoán Moncada and Erisbel Arruebarrena in the infield, Alfredo Despaigne and Roel Santos in the outfield, as well as pitchers Frank Álvarez and Yoan López.
In recent weeks, the team continued its training in Nicaragua while immigration procedures were being resolved, focusing on tactical adjustments, pitching, and defense, which are considered key areas by the coaching staff.
The VI World Baseball Classic represents a new challenge for the Cuban team, which will seek to improve its international performance amid political tensions that once again intersect with the sporting landscape.
Filed under: