United States bans Cuba from children's softball tournament

HAVANA, Cuba, July 13 (ACN) The Cuban team expected to compete in the Caribbean qualifier for the Little League Softball World Series for girls aged 9-10, to be held in Puerto Rico on July 14-18, could not travel to the venue because several members of the delegation were denied the visa.

The U.S. Embassy in Havana granted visas to the 14 players, but not so to the seven adults in charge of the delegation and the girls' safety, according to a statement released by the Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation (FCBS).

Team Cuba was scheduled to travel to Puerto Rico on Sunday, July 13, except that Washington's irrational, unsportsmanlike decision prevented the trip, despite the fact that Cuba submitted the applications in due time at the U.S. Embassy in Havana.

The statement expresses its gratitude to the Puerto Rican tournament organizers for their efforts and wishes success to the teams from Mexico, Brazil, the Bahamas, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the local players.

Denying the Cuban girls a visa to go to Puerto Rico is in keeping with the maximum pressure policy that the United States government arbitrarily applies against Cuba, disregarding even the international commitments assumed by countries that host sports competitions.

So far this year, several Cuban teams have been prevented from competing on U.S. soil, and in other cases, have done so with fewer athletes for the same reason: refusals to grant visas or deliberate delays in the arrangements.

Cuba reiterates its warning that this conduct by the White House could affect the island's participation in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.