Havana, June 27 (Prensa Latina) The decision by the U.S. embassy here to deny a visa to the delegation that was scheduled to participate in a women’s volleyball tournament in Puerto Rico is making headlines in major national media outlets today.
A statement issued Thursday by the Cuban Volleyball Federation (FCV) reported that the team would be unable to attend the NORCECA Final Four, scheduled for July 16-21, due to visa denials.
The text describes this measure as “unfair and discriminatory, and contrary to the precepts of sport.”
The FCV explains that this conduct, contrary to the commitments inherent to the responsibility assumed by host countries of international sporting events, hinders Cuba’s presence in a competition included in the qualification process for the Central American and Caribbean Games and counts toward the NORCECA and world rankings.
Several media outlets on the island have similarly described this hostile behavior, which is aligned with Washington’s policy of maximum pressure on Havana since Donald Trump returned to the White House.
Imperial arrogance, arrogance, abuse of power, and disrespect for the rules of the Olympics are also among the most repeated criticisms on digital social media regarding the topic.
According to the statement from the island’s Federation of this sport, the 16 members (12 athletes, two coaches, one referee, and one team manager) were notified at the U.S. diplomatic headquarters in Havana, where they submitted the request “in accordance with the established deadlines for such a process.”
The deliberate denial or delay of visa applications to hinder the participation of Cuban sports teams in tournaments held on U.S. soil has become a common practice of the Washington government, and has been denounced on each occasion by the island’s authorities.
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