The former baseball pitcher from Pinar del Río, Pedro Luis Lazo, expressed his bewilderment over the United States' decision to refuse him a visa. Lazo was supposed to attend the upcoming VI World Baseball Classic, set to kick off on March 6 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Currently serving as the pitching coach for the Cuban national team, Lazo is among eight delegation members who were denied entry to the international event. Although not a political figure, Lazo has consistently aligned with the Cuban regime's interests.
"It's hard to wrap my head around this visa situation because we have no involvement in political matters, but that's how it is. Those who attend must shoulder the responsibility and strive to secure a good position for the team," he commented to National Television.
This visa denial primarily impacts coaches and officials associated with Cuba's state-run sports system, while the official roster of players remains unaffected.
As a member of the coaching staff, Lazo emphasized that the absence of several key figures disrupts the organizational framework of the team. Among those denied visas are the delegation's head, the national baseball commissioner, and the team's statistics manager.
"Each of us is vital; the organization assigns these roles to every team for a reason," Lazo insisted, defending the importance of every position within the Cuban delegation.
Visa Denial Complicates Cuban Presence at World Baseball Classic
To date, U.S. authorities have not publicly disclosed specific reasons for the visa rejections. This decision unfolds against a backdrop of ongoing political tensions between Washington and Havana.
While the players can still participate, the measure limits the involvement of Cuba's state-run baseball management and coaching staff in one of the most prestigious tournaments on the international calendar.
The World Baseball Classic gathers the world's top national teams, offering a highly competitive platform. Despite missing several delegation members, the Cuban team aims to progress beyond the group stage.
Understanding the U.S. Visa Denial for Cuban Delegation
Why were the visas denied to certain Cuban delegation members?
The specific reasons for the visa denial have not been publicly disclosed by U.S. authorities, but it occurs amid ongoing political tensions between the United States and Cuba.
Does the visa denial affect the Cuban baseball team’s participation in the Classic?
The players are still able to participate; however, the absence of some coaching and managerial staff due to visa denial could impact the team's organizational structure.
Who are some of the key figures affected by the visa denial?
Among those affected are the head of the delegation, the national baseball commissioner, and the team's statistics manager.