The Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation is upset that eight members of its delegation have been denied visas to enter the United States for the World Baseball Classic, but despite threats, MLB officials fully expect Cuba to play in the WBC beginning next week.
All coaches and players for Cuba have received visas, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
Cuba, which finished tied for third in the 2023 WBC, is scheduled to open tournament play March 6 against Panama in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Juan Reinaldo Perez Pardo, president of the Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation, and Carlos del Pino Munoz, the organization’s secretary general, are among the eight members of the traveling party whose visas were denied, according to Reuters.
The visa issues are tied to the tightening of U.S. immigration laws under the Trump administration, which require specialized licensing for Cuban team members and officials to enter the United States, including Puerto Rico.
Last summer, a Venezuelan baseball team of 15- and 16-year olds was scheduled to play in the Little League Senior World Series in South Carolina, but abandoned plans when it was denied visas to enter the United States.
Team Cuba is currently on a four-game tour of Nicaragua and is scheduled to travel to Phoenix to play exhibition games early next week against the Kansas City Royals and Cincinnati Reds. It will then travel to Puerto Rico to begin play in the WBC.
Cuba has advanced out of pool play in each of the previous five WBC tournaments, and finished runner-up to Japan in the inaugural WBC in 2006.
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This story has been updated with new information.