Cuba's Olympic visa chaos unveiled

The Cuban Olympic Committee on Tuesday criticised the United States for denying applications to its athletes and officials, highlighting mounting concerns about US entry policies ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

According to the COC, its president, vice-president, and secretary general were barred from attending regional Olympic meetings held this month in Miami and Puerto Rico due to visa denials. The organisation also noted that 14 athletes were unable to take part in a competition in Florida in March, while the national men's basketball team missed the FIBA AmeriCup in Puerto Rico in February, all because they had not been granted the necessary travel documents.

The COC attributed these incidents to what it described as an "arbitrary and politically-motivated handling of visa" requests, a result of Washington's "aggressive policy" toward the island nation. Diplomatic ties between the United States and Cuba, which has been subject to a US trade embargo for more than 60 years, have deteriorated further under President Donald Trump's leadership.

In its statement, the COC condemned "discriminatory practices that go against the spirit of sports" and called for "respect for the obligations and fundamental principles of Olympism." Since President Trump began his second term in January, his administration has increased pressure on Cuba, reinstating its designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.

US authorities have also intensified efforts to deport undocumented immigrants, including Cubans, and have revoked visas for individuals accused of anti-Semitism or of harbouring "hostile attitudes" toward the US. Despite these actions, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently stated that stricter immigration enforcement would not impact upcoming major international sporting events, including the jointly hosted 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics.

"We want it to be a success. It's a priority for the president," Rubio said, responding to concerns amid a reported decline in US tourism since Trump's return to office. News outlet AFP has revealed they reached out to the International Olympic Committee for a response to Cuba's allegations.