Cuban softball player Yasmani Álvarez arrived at the Dominican Republic's General Directorate of Migration's Refugee Office filled with anxiety. However, the initial greeting from the official he met there changed everything for him.
A Cuban content creator living in the Dominican Republic shared on his channel "Azúcar con libertad" that the official warmly welcomed Álvarez by saying, "We've been expecting you. Here's what we need to do, feel free to act, to move, to do as you please. Feel free; you're one of the Cubans we welcome in the Dominican Republic."
Álvarez was the second of five Cuban athletes who defected during the Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026 to start the process of legalizing his stay in the Caribbean nation.
The Struggle for Freedom
Reaching the refuge office was not an easy journey. Upon their arrival in the Dominican Republic, Cuban authorities confiscated the passports of the delegation's athletes and kept them under constant surveillance. The YouTuber noted that when friends attempted to visit Álvarez, "they were so closely watched that they could hardly speak."
Álvarez had to make a split-second decision to stay. "It was astonishing what this young man had to do; he had to leave everything behind—his clothes, everything—to seize a fleeting opportunity to escape the watchful eyes and pressure," explained the content creator.
A Wave of Defections
The two Cuban athletes seeking asylum are part of a larger group of five who left their delegations between late July and mid-August. The first to defect was field hockey goalkeeper Moisés David Torres Puig on July 24 during the games. Four days later, rower Leah Daniela Almeida left the Cuban delegation. On August 12, fencers Hershey Daniela de la Cruz and Adán Isbel Núñez Pina decided to remain in the Dominican Republic after their competition concluded.
These defections occurred amid unprecedented diplomatic tensions. The Dominican Republic reportedly discovered alleged Cuban agents infiltrated into the Games' venues to monitor athletes and prevent escapes. On August 13, the Dominican Foreign Ministry expelled nine Cuban diplomats, totaling 21 people including their families, an act linked by media and anonymous sources to the espionage on defecting athletes.
Support and Discretion
The "Azúcar con libertad" YouTuber urged discretion regarding the details of the athletes' regularization process, stating, "Some things need to remain low-key." He also encouraged those willing to support the defectors to reach out to the Cuban Association in the Dominican Republic, which is collecting contributions to aid them.
Defections of Cuban athletes at international events have been a recurring phenomenon for decades, driven by the regime's restrictive measures: passport confiscation, constant surveillance, and the presence of state security agents. The Santo Domingo 2026 Games have become the latest stage for this ongoing exodus.
Understanding Cuban Athlete Defections
Why do Cuban athletes defect at international events?
Cuban athletes often defect due to the restrictive measures imposed by the regime, such as confiscation of passports and constant surveillance, which limit their freedom and opportunities.
How did the Dominican Republic respond to the Cuban defections?
The Dominican Republic expelled nine Cuban diplomats, citing espionage related to monitoring defecting athletes, and has offered asylum to those who defected.