The final group of the Cuban delegation that took part in the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games touched down in Havana on Monday morning, concluding a participation marked by both remarkable performances and historically poor results in the island's flagship sports.
Their return was marked by an official ceremony attended by several figures from the Party and government, as reported by the state media outlet Jit. Among those present were Vice Prime Minister Inés María Chapman Waugh, Teresa Amarelle Boue (member of the Political Bureau and General Secretary of the Federation of Cuban Women), Meivis Estévez (General Secretary of the Union of Young Communists), and Osvaldo Vento Montiller, President of the National Institute of Sports, who led the Cuban mission in Santo Domingo.
The delegation was represented by canoeist Yarisleidis Cirilo Duboy, a three-time champion at these Games and a bronze medalist at the Paris 2024 Olympics. “We return with our hearts filled with pride because every step we took, every effort was inspired by the people who resist and triumph despite all adversities,” she expressed to those gathered.
Cirilo emphasized the collective nature of their efforts: “Whether we came back with medals or not, we felt the support of every Cuban. We were never alone; they ran, jumped, lifted, and paddled with us.”
On the sports front, Cuba finished third in the final medal standings with 51 golds, 48 silvers, and 56 bronzes, totaling 155 medals. Mexico topped the table with 167 golds, while Colombia secured second place with 91. The result fell short of the official goal of at least 67 golds, but the delegation achieved its aim of finishing in the top three.
The Games exposed significant weaknesses in traditional sports. The men's baseball team missed the podium for the first time in 60 years—since San Juan 1966—after losing 9-1 to Puerto Rico in the bronze medal game. Similarly, men's boxing failed to secure any titles, with all three male finalists losing to Dominican Republic opponents.
The Games were also notable for at least two defections: rower Leah Daniela Almeida left the delegation on July 28, days after winning bronze, and hockey goalkeeper Moisés David Torres Puig was the first athlete to abandon the team on July 24.
Rolando Yero, a member of the Communist Party's Central Committee, used the event to imbue the return with political symbolism. He compared this delegation to the one that traveled to San Juan in 1966 aboard the ship Cerro Pelado, stating that “the enemy remains the same” despite different contexts. The ceremony took place just days before the centenary of Fidel Castro’s birth, scheduled for August 13.
“We will continue training with discipline, competing courageously, and we promise to keep defending the solitary star flag,” concluded Cirilo Duboy, whose three gold medals in canoeing—including the C-1 200 m, C-2 500 m, and mixed canoe 500 m—were among Cuba's standout performances in Santo Domingo 2026.
Key Takeaways from Cuba's Participation in Santo Domingo 2026
How did Cuba perform in the medal standings at Santo Domingo 2026?
Cuba finished third in the final medal standings, securing 51 golds, 48 silvers, and 56 bronzes, for a total of 155 medals.
What notable issues did Cuba face during the Games?
Cuba's men's baseball team missed the podium for the first time in 60 years, and the men's boxing team failed to win any titles. Additionally, there were at least two athlete defections during the event.