Seven Cuban athletes participating in the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games held in the capital of Chile escaped from the Pan American Village, where the teams representing the different countries are staying. The reason for their escape was the tragic living conditions that the island's residents are experiencing due to the Cuban communist regime.
Six of the athletes are part of the women's field hockey team and the seventh is a female track athlete. All were identified and their names were revealed: Jennifer Martínez, Yakira Guillén, Lismary González, Helec Carta, Geidy Morales Yoao Illas and Yunia Milanes.
Subsequently, it was confirmed that the Cuban athletes contacted a law firm to regulate their immigration situation in Chile.
The Chilean government
Gabriel Boric's government reported that none of the athletes had submitted a request to change their status and reside in the country. He also recalled that they have a 90-day legal stay visa (which they can renew for an additional 90 days). Chilean Minister Secretary General Camila Vallejo declared that "there is always concern in these cases."
On the other hand, Daniela Peñaloza, mayor of Santiago's Las Condes province, publicly offered on X (formerly Twitter) to help and support to Cuban athletes:
I have just contacted the lawyer Mijail Bonito so that, once the immigration status of Cuban athletes is regularized, they will have a place in Las Condes where they can freely practice, work and promote sports. Welcome those who come to Chile to contribute!
Me acabo de comunicar con el abogado @mijailbonito para que,una vez regularizada la situación migratoria de los deportistas cubanos, tengan en Las Condes un lugar desde donde puedan libremente practicar, trabajar y fomentar el deporte.Bienvenidos los que vienen a Chile a aportar! https://t.co/gpgXMk6yKi
— Daniela Peñaloza (@danielapenaloza) November 7, 2023
More than 60 athletes left Cuban sporting delegations this year
Cuban journalist Francys Romero revealed that 62 athletes in total have left Cuban sporting delegations in 2023. This is not the first time that this situation has made headlines. During the Gold Cup soccer tournament held in the United States, a group of players identified as Roberney Caballero, Neiser Sandó, Denilson Milanes, Jassael Herrea and Sandy Sánchez escaped from the hotel where they were staying to request refuge in the U.S.
Fuentes: Cinco jugadoras de hockey de césped femenino abandonaron la delegación de Cuba en los Juegos Panamericanos de Santiago de Chile 2023.
Las jugadoras salieron de la concentración por el mediodía tras culminar el juego del 5to lugar de hoy que perdieron contra Uruguay… pic.twitter.com/4SnFsBmh5U
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) November 4, 2023
