Cuba Withdraws from Caribbean Baseball Cup Amid Controversy

Cuba has officially withdrawn from the Caribbean Baseball Cup, a decision announced by the Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation. This withdrawal comes shortly after Cuba secured a ticket to the Central American and Caribbean Games scheduled for Santo Domingo in 2026, without having to compete in a qualifying tournament.

Juan Reinaldo Perez Pardo, the federation president, explained that the Caribbean Cup, set to take place in the Bahamas from December 3 to 8, can only accommodate six teams due to infrastructure limitations.

This move allows more teams to compete for the single available spot to the Central American Games, with participating teams including the U.S. Virgin Islands, Curacao, and the local team from the Bahamas.

However, the decision to withdraw is not purely altruistic. Reports suggest it also aims to avoid financial burdens for the federation, as each athlete's registration for the Caribbean Cup incurs a daily fee of 65 dollars.

The Pan American Confederation had recently announced Cuba's direct qualification for the upcoming Central American and Caribbean Games, based on their ranking in the World Baseball Softball Confederation.

Cuba aims to reclaim the championship title it lost in the previous editions held in Barranquilla in 2018 and San Salvador in 2023, both of which were won by Mexico. This decision has provoked a strong response from the Caribbean Baseball Confederation, which expressed disappointment, highlighting that they had previously confirmed that the Caribbean Cup would provide two qualification spots for Santo Domingo.

They criticized the last-minute changes that affect the organization of the event, emphasizing that qualifications should be earned on the field. Looking ahead, reports indicate that the Copa America could take place in the second half of 2026 and will grant tickets to the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima.

Additionally, Cuba is expected to participate in other upcoming regional tournaments, with Ciego de Avila returning to the Caribbean Series in Venezuela and the winner of the 64th National Series representing Cuba in the Champions League.

Furthermore, a team composed of domestic league players who are also in the pre-selection for the World Baseball Classic will compete in the Americas Series in January.