Latest news with #CubanOlympicCommittee
The Hindu
3 days ago
- 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
4 days ago
- 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
4 days ago
- 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.
