Cuba stressed on Monday that the promoter of the exodus of its baseball players abroad is the Government of the United States, following the cancellation of an agreement between the national federation and the MLB by the Donald Trump administration.

Havana, Cuba.- The accusation was made after six players representing Cuba in the U-23 Baseball World Cup being held in Mexico left the team, which is still in the fight to advance to the second phase of the event.

In this regard, the official website of the Cuban Sports Institute (INDER) stated that the disqualification of the contractual link between the parties prevents the Cuban players from making their dreams come true through the natural route, which is available to the rest of the countries.

In that line, it added that the measure by the Donald Trump Government (2017-2021) stimulates the trafficking of athletes in defense of political interests, alien to the welfare and calm of the Cuban family.

Meanwhile, the website the Cuban Baseball Federation (FCB) pointed out that the defections of players are concrete expressions resulting from the controversial and unfair decision by the US.

'Undoubtedly, it is a hard obstacle for the management and the team. It is not easy to maintain a winning mindset when this kind of thing happens in the middle of a competition. Our full support for the team, we are with you,' the FCB press release said.

Despite the obstacles, the team, coached by former catcher Eriel Sánchez, has two wins and one defeat and is in second place in Group A with the Dominican Republic, both half a game behind Mexico, which has won all three games and lost one. (PL)