New York, October 28th, 2023.- The cruel blockade policy against Cuba has also represented an increase in the limitations and costs for the acquisition of sports equipment, fabrics, footwear, technical and pedagogical means, technological supports, among others, whose main market of origin is United States.
The blockade also limits the participation of Cubans in international events, either due to denial of visas, or because national federations cannot pay for their membership in international organizations, due to the restrictions imposed by this policy, since the immense Most of the accounts of these institutions are in US banks or in agencies with shares coming from them.
Cuban athletes and referees have also suffered the withholding of thousands of dollars earned in prizes, given the refusal of foreign banks to process the corresponding payments to Cuba.
Furthermore, the theft of Cuban talent has been evident, fostered and stimulated by the discriminatory and selective policies of the United States. In the case of baseball, despite the interest of the Cuban side, it has not been possible to reach an agreement between the Cuban Baseball Federation and Major League Baseball (MLB) so that our athletes can play in the latter without having to leave the country.
The promotion of hate speech towards Cuba was evident on March 19, 2023, during the semifinal of the V World Baseball Classic between the Cuban and US teams, a context in which direct attacks were carried out against the Cuban players and the delegation. who accompanied them and the followers of the Cuban squad.
Since the arbitrary inclusion of Cuba in the arbitrary list of State sponsors of terrorism, excessive and xenophobic controls have been applied to our sports delegations at customs and international migration controls.
This and other effects on the Cuban sports sector are denounced in the Cuban Report pursuant to resolution 77/7 of the United Nations General Assembly entitled “Need to end the economic, financial and commercial blockade of the United States against Cuba”, which will be considered and put to a vote on November 1 and 2. Once again, the international community will raise its voice and overwhelmingly reject this unjust, illegal and cruel policy.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations