US denies visas to Cuban women's volleyball team

The US government has denied visas to the Cuban women's volleyball team, preventing them from participating in the NORCECA Final Four, which will be held in Puerto Rico (a US territory) from July 16 to 21, 2025.

Cuba was a strong candidate for the Final Four NORCECA championship but could not participate - Photo: CiberCuba

According to information from the Cuban Volleyball Federation, all members of the delegation, including 12 athletes, 2 coaches, 1 referee and 1 team manager, were denied visas at the US consulate office in Havana.

The federation described the decision as “an unfair and discriminatory attitude”. They said the move went against the country’s commitment to hosting international sporting events, as well as affecting the NORCECA rankings and Cuba’s position in the world volleyball rankings.

The Cuban Volleyball Federation expressed concern about its ability to participate in future sports competitions, especially when the United States hosts the 2028 Olympics.

A few days earlier, the Cuban men's volleyball team also had difficulty obtaining visas. This affected the team's journey to Europe to compete in the second week of the Volleyball Nations League.

Final Four NORCECA is a volleyball tournament that brings together the strongest teams from North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

The tournament counts for points in the world volleyball rankings, as well as serving as a qualifier for larger tournaments such as the Pan American Fames, world championships, Olympics, accumulating points for the Volleyball Nations League.

This year's tournament will be held from July 16 to 21, with host Puerto Rico, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Trinidad and Tobago (replacing Cuba).

Although Puerto Rico has its own local government, all visa, customs, and border control issues are managed by the US Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Therefore, anyone wishing to enter Puerto Rico must apply for a US visa.

The United States has a very strict immigration policy with Cuba due to the long-standing political tensions. It is not easy for Cubans to get visas to enter the United States for any field, including sports.

QUANG MINH

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/my-tu-choi-cap-thi-thuc-cho-doi-tuyen-bong-chuyen-nu-cuba-20250630131129236.htm