Cuban activists in Paraguay still try to locate the rest of the athletes who left the island’s delegation.
Miami, United States. – Young Cuban athletes who escaped their delegation in Asunción “appeared and are fortunately healthy and saved,” according to A SNT Paraguay report who interviewed the Cuban activist Carlos Carrera, who gave assistance to athletes.
Carrera told SNT that young people were initially helped by individuals and remain hidden from fear: “They are still, let’s say, hidden because they are afraid.” He added that, for security, they will wait for the Cuban delegation to be withdrawn from Paraguay, next day 26.
In the same television report, Carrera said that the opposition Cuban community in Paraguay was organized to support them and said that, according to their information, there would be five remote athletes, of which they have located three. He also indicated that they have not been able to contact “some girls” or “a judo boy”, so the public message seeks to encourage them to communicate: “that they see that we are a part of the Cuban community here that we are opposed to the regime that we are going to support him in everything that is necessary”.
Meanwhile, in A Facebook video Where he presents the three athletes, Carrera thanked the support received and announced that the material aid will coordinate without exposing the young people: “Here they are so healthy, so safe and are in a place, calm … these days we will be organizing the solidarity help for them. We are now going to guarantee everything the food is.”
“Thank you all for all for being communicating with us. I want to thank the Paraguayan people and all the people who are supporting us at this time and the Cuban community that is supporting us now.” Thank you very much for everything you are doing for us, ”said one of the young athletes, 21.
In the middle of this month It transcended that four Cuban athletes – three rowers and a handball player – had departed from their delegation during the Pan American Youth Games Asunción 2025. At that time, the Interior Minister of Paraguay, Enrique Riera, reported that “apparently it would be a case of dropout” and that the National Police had issued “a preventive alert” to inquire “whether or not there would be a reason to worry.”
Until the afternoon of that day, the athletes had not requested support or asylum before the National Commission of Recommended and Refugees (CONARE).
The athletes were identified as Félix Puente Batista, Robert Landy Fernández, Keiler Ávila Núñez and Suannet of Naples charity, all of legal age. The Headquarters of the Cuban delegation reported that they separated from the group during a tourist activity and did not return to the hotel.
Cuban athletes leaks during international competitions are recurring. Following the events in Paraguay, the agency AP He recalled the cases of Aroldis Chapman, Yoenis Céspedes, José Abreu and the boxer Andy Cruz in 2022; and AFP He pointed out that, according to official 2023 official figures, almost 190 high -performance athletes deserted.
