The Cuban women’s national volleyball team has been barred from participating in a key international tournament in Puerto Rico, after being denied entry visas by the U.S. government under new restrictions.
According to the Cuban Volleyball Federation, visa applications for 12 players, coaches, and a referee were all rejected. The team had planned to compete in the NORCECA Women’s Final Four tournament in Manatí, which would have awarded ranking points toward qualification for the Volleyball Nations League.
“The disappointment is huge,” said national team player Laura Suarez. “Every hour of training was leading up to this.”
Critical Ranking Opportunity Lost
Cuba was scheduled to compete against Mexico, Costa Rica, and host Puerto Rico. Therefore the tournament was considered a vital opportunity to earn points toward global volleyball rankings.
Player Dayana Martínez said the decision deeply affected team morale:
“Arriving at the embassy and being denied the visa affects us a lot. However that competition gives us points to improve our ranking.”
Head coach Wilfredo Robinson added that the visa denial jeopardizes the team’s Nations League ambitions:
“If we show up to September’s tournament needing 80 or 100 points, we won’t be able to make that up.”
US Policy Sparks Backlash
The visa denial follows a June directive from the Biden administration (originating under previous President Trump). Therefore adding Cuba to a list of restricted countries alongside Afghanistan, Venezuela, and others.
Cuban foreign minister Bruno Rodríguez condemned the policy on social media, calling the denial part of a “racist and xenophobic list of visa restrictions.”
Furthermore, in a statement to the Associated Press, the U.S. Embassy in Cuba declined to comment on the specific case. But confirmed that visa decisions are in line with border security and public safety protocols.
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