In a statement, it emphasized that Cuba will exercise its right to participate in the tournament, in accordance with the efforts that supported the team’s preparation, the dedication of the players and the team as a whole, and the commitment made to the organizers.

At the same time, the Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation reiterated the discriminatory, politicized, and unethical nature of the decision to deny visas to eight members of the national delegation.

On this point, it reaffirmed its presence in an event it has participated in since its founding in 2006, and that despite other difficulties also related to U.S. policies, the will to compete and do so with dignity prevailed. He specified that each of the arbitrarily excluded members of the delegation had to fulfill functions established by the organizers for all participating countries, functions now redistributed among the few officials available, including members of the technical staff, which places the team at a clear operational and competitive disadvantage.

Cuba departed from Nicaragua for Arizona to conclude its preparations with two games against the Kansas City Royals (March 3) and the Cincinnati Reds (March 4). Runners-up in the historic 2006 edition, the Cuban team is in Group A, playing at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Coach German Mesa’s squad will debut against Panama on March 6, play against Colombia on the 8th, face Puerto Rico the following day, and close out the group stage against Canada on the 11th.

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