Thursday, July 3, 2025

Cuban baseball players defect during U23 World Cup in Sonora

At least 11 members of the U-23 Cuban baseball team defected in Mexico before, during and after the World Cup in Sonora.

According to varying reports, 11 or 12 of 24 players abandoned the team, which finished fourth at the September 23-October 2 event held in Hermosillo and Ciudad Obregón.

It is one of Cuba’s largest defections in recent years and seen as a great embarrassment for the island nation. Mass defections of Cuban athletes were common during the 1990s when Cuba was in a so-called “special period” following the collapse of the Soviet Union but have been less frequent in more recent years.

Cuba’s National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (INDER) excoriated the defectors, asserting they have “weak morals and ethics.”

“Is it so difficult to learn, from the cradle, that one doesn’t pursue dreams or personal projects by putting universal values such as commitment, responsibility and patriotism to one side?” INDER asked in its official magazine.

Cuban officials apportioned blame to the United States, noting that the U.S. has restrictions that force Cuban baseball players to defect in order to qualify to play in the major leagues. At least one young Cuban ballplayer, Luía Mejías, has already entered the United States, according to media reports.

Players who remain in Mexico could also seek asylum in the United States to pursue a professional baseball career. Their teammates who remain loyal to their homeland left Mexico on Monday.

With reports from El País and CNN 

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
Border patrol vehicles drive along the US-Mexico border

US judge blocks Trump’s ban on asylum claims along Mexico-US border

0
Meanwhile, migrant border crossings have slowed to a trickle.
The logos of CIBanco, Intercam and Vector Casa de Bolsa

Have you been affected by the sanctions on Mexican banks? Let us know!

9
U.S. sanctions have left the future of CIBanco, Intercam and Vector up in the air. We want to hear from readers — have your finances been affected?
people releasing fish in shallow water

Environment Ministry releases 40,000 baby totoaba into the Gulf of California

0
The Environment Ministry, working with the private sector and civil society, has been conducting a repopulation project that included the recent release of 40,000 hatchlings.
BETA Version - Powered by Perplexity