US denies visas to Cuban baseball officials ahead of international tournament

A Cuban player holds a ball as the Cuban government allowed scouts from foreign teams to visit the Caribbean island to evaluate players in Havana for possible signings abroad, in Havana, Cuba September 28, 2024. REUTERS/Norlys Perez

Feb 25 (Reuters) - ⁠The Cuban Baseball ⁠and Softball Federation ‌on Wednesday said that the United States government ​on Tuesday had ⁠denied visas ⁠to eight members of the ⁠delegation ‌competing to represent Cuba ⁠in the World Baseball ​Classic ‌tournament.

Those who had their ⁠visas ​denied include the president of Cuban ⁠Baseball and Softball Federation, ​Juan Reinaldo Pérez Pardo, the organization's secretary ⁠general, Carlos del Pino Muñoz, and the pitching coach and ​local legend ⁠of the sport, ​Pedro Luis ‌Lazo Iglesias.

(Reporting by ​Daniel Trotta; Editing by Himani Sarkar)