[a video about Cuba from the news collective Belly Of The Beast]
Cuba is once again exceeding expectations in the World Baseball Classic. The Cuban team is one victory away from reaching the quarterfinals. It was unclear a few months ago whether Cuba would even play in the WBC. Not because of baseball — but because of U.S. policy.
“We were aware that there could be denials due to the United States’ aggressive policy toward Cuba,” said Juan Reinaldo Pérez, the president of the Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation. In the end, the players were granted the visas, but eight Cuban staff, including a scout and a pitching coach, were denied visas.
The Trump administration last year blocked visas for some 100 Cuban athletes and sports officials.
Cuban athletes also face pressure from right-wing activists and politicians in Miami. In the last WBC in Miami, Cuban players and their family members were harassed and had objects thrown at them.
👉Check out our article “Playing Dirty: Rubio’s War on Cuban Athletes”: https://www.bellyofthebeastcuba.com/rubios-war-on-cuban-athletes