Latest news with #CubanOlympicCommittee
Mint
2 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Cuba's Volleyball Team Barred From US Event in Latest Sport Spat
Cuba's volleyball team was denied visas for a tournament in Puerto Rico, the latest example of a US travel crackdown that the communist government blasted as discriminatory and said could hurt its ability to participate in the Olympics. The denial is another example of 'racist and xenophobic visa restrictions developed by Secretary of State' Marco Rubio, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said Friday in a post on X. 'They're trying to block the development of Cuban sports, which are already limited' by US economic sanctions. Since returning to office this year, President Donald Trump's administration has hardened its policies toward Cuba, putting the island back on a list of state-sponsors of terrorism and slapping it with a partial travel ban. The government in Havana also says once-routine migration talks between the two countries have been suspended. Cuba's volleyball federation said 16 of its members of the women's national team were barred from traveling for the competition next month in Puerto Rico — a US territory that adheres to federal immigration laws. The event, held by the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation, is a qualifier for the Central American and Caribbean Games as well as the confederation championship. The Cuban Olympic Committee, meanwhile, said visa denials have kept its officials from attending routine meetings in the US and blocked the men's basketball team from participating in a tournament, also in Puerto Rico, earlier this year. Missing that event disqualified the team from the FIBA Americup — a hemisphere-wide basketball championship — that will be played in Nicaragua this year. Last month, the Cuban Olympic Committee said it was 'alarmed' by the US policies, which could hurt 'Cuba's ability to participate in Olympic qualifiers' ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Why Is the US Denying Visas to Cuban Athletes and Officials?
The Cuban Olympic Committee accuses the US of denying visas to Cuban officials and athletes, raising concerns over upcoming major sports events in the US, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Q1: Which Cuban officials were denied travel documents? A: The COC's president, vice-president, and secretary general were excluded from meetings in Miami and Puerto Rico due to visa refusals. Q2: How has this visa denial affected Cuban athletes? A: Fourteen Cuban athletes missed an athletics championship in Florida, and the men's basketball team missed the FIBA AmeriCup in Puerto Rico. Q3: What reasons does the Cuban Olympic Committee give for the visa refusals? A: The committee blames an 'arbitrary and politically-motivated' US policy against Cuba, linked to Washington's aggressive stance towards the island. Q4: How have US-Cuba relations evolved under President Trump? A: Relations worsened, with Cuba re-listed as a 'terrorism' sponsor, increased deportations, and stricter visa policies citing alleged anti-Semitism or hostility towards the US. Q5: Has the US government addressed concerns about future sporting events? A: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured that visa policies will not affect the 2026 FIFA World Cup or 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. (With inputs from AFP)
The Sun
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Cuban Olympic Committee Slams U.S. Over Visa Denials Ahead of 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics
HAVANA: The Cuban Olympic Committee (COC) on Tuesday accused Washington of refusing visas to officials and athletes, amid growing concern over US entry requirements ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The COC said its president, vice-president and secretary general were excluded from regional Olympic committee meetings in Miami and Puerto Rico this month after being denied travel documents. Fourteen Cubans were unable to participate in an athletics championship in Florida in March, it added, and the national men's basketball team missed the FIBA AmeriCup in Puerto Rico in February -- all because they didn't get visas. The COC blamed an 'arbitrary and politically-motivated handling of visa' applications resulting from Washington's 'aggressive policy' towards Cuba. Relations between Washington and communist Cuba, which has been under a US trade embargo for over six decades, have soured further under President Donald Trump. In a statement, the committee rejected 'discriminatory practices that go against the spirit of sports' and demanded 'respect for the obligations and fundamental principles of Olympism.' Since his return to the White House in January, Trump has ramped up pressure on the Caribbean island, placing it back on a US list of 'terrorism' sponsors. His administration has also taken steps to increase deportations of undocumented migrants, including from Cuba, and has stripped people of visas for alleged anti-Semitism or for having 'hostile attitudes' towards the United States. Last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured that the tightened immigration policies would not affect next year's FIFA World Cup, being jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, or the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. 'We want it to be a success. It's a priority for the president,' Rubio said, amid reports of a fall in tourism to the United States since the start of Trump's second mandate. AFP has contacted the IOC for comment over Cuba's complaint.
The Sun
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Cuban Olympic body says denied US visas
H AVANA: The Cuban Olympic Committee (COC) on Tuesday accused Washington of refusing visas to officials and athletes, amid growing concern over US entry requirements ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The COC said its president, vice-president and secretary general were excluded from regional Olympic committee meetings in Miami and Puerto Rico this month after being denied travel documents. Fourteen Cubans were unable to participate in an athletics championship in Florida in March, it added, and the national men's basketball team missed the FIBA AmeriCup in Puerto Rico in February -- all because they didn't get visas. The COC blamed an 'arbitrary and politically-motivated handling of visa' applications resulting from Washington's 'aggressive policy' towards Cuba. Relations between Washington and communist Cuba, which has been under a US trade embargo for over six decades, have soured further under President Donald Trump. In a statement, the committee rejected 'discriminatory practices that go against the spirit of sports' and demanded 'respect for the obligations and fundamental principles of Olympism.' Since his return to the White House in January, Trump has ramped up pressure on the Caribbean island, placing it back on a US list of 'terrorism' sponsors. His administration has also taken steps to increase deportations of undocumented migrants, including from Cuba, and has stripped people of visas for alleged anti-Semitism or for having 'hostile attitudes' towards the United States. Last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured that the tightened immigration policies would not affect next year's FIFA World Cup, being jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, or the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. 'We want it to be a success. It's a priority for the president,' Rubio said, amid reports of a fall in tourism to the United States since the start of Trump's second mandate.
