Baseball diplomacy re-emerges in tense U.S.-Cuban relations
May 19, 2021
4:54 PM CDT
Nelson Acosta
5 minute read
Members of Cuba's baseball team told Reuters on Wednesday the U.S. embassy in Havana had started processing their applications for visas to attend the Americas Olympic qualifying tournament in Florida despite its restrictions on consular services, in a triumph of baseball diplomacy.
The U.S. embassy in Havana suspended consular services three years ago when the Trump administration reduced it to skeletal staffing, sending applicants to embassies abroad instead.
That has proven a major obstacle to Cubans applying for visas to see family or visit the United States, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic.
Cuban baseball fans have been worried their team might not receive the visas they need to compete in the qualifying tournament for the Tokyo Olympics. The tournament takes place in Florida's West Palm Beach and Port St Lucie from May 31 to June 5.
But a Reuters witness saw a group of players and officials from the baseball team outside the embassy on Wednesday. Two players and a coach said they were there for their visa appointments, with some scheduled for others later in the week.
More:
https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/baseball-diplomacy-re-emerges-tense-us-cuban-relations-2021-05-19/?rpc=401&
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It was great when Jimmy Carter took Fidel Castro's invitation to visit Cuba, and attended a game, and threw out the first ball!
President Jimmy Carter in Cuba
CRISTOBAL HERRERA May 11, 2017
Listening to playing of the US National Anthem at the airport.
Former President Jimmy Carter, right, waits, with the all-star baseball teams and Cuban President Fidel Castro, left, before throwing the first pitch for the all-star baseball game at the Latinamerican Stadium in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday May 14, 2002. (AP Photo/Cristobal Herrera)
CRISTOBAL HERRERA
Visiting school for Cuban disabled students.
Meeting Cuban bishops.
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