On Thursday, three young Cuban students from Miami, currently studying nursing in Puerto Rico, were removed from San Juan's Hiram Bithorn Stadium. Their ejection followed vocal protests against the Cuban dictatorship during a game featuring the Cuban team at the VI World Baseball Classic 2026, as reported by journalist Mag Jorge Castro on his account on X.
Castro shared the incident alongside a video, noting, "These are three guys from Miami, nursing students, who attended the Classic game." Security personnel escorted the trio out of the stadium after they made anti-regime statements.
Political Tensions Flare at the World Baseball Classic
This episode is part of a series of politically charged actions at the tournament. Last Saturday, during the Cuba-Colombia matchup, fans donned shirts reading "Díaz-Canel singao." At the opening game between Cuba and Panama, another spectator unfurled a banner declaring "Down with the Díaz-Canel Dictatorship" behind home plate, a moment captured and broadcast by Fox. On multiple occasions, security at Hiram Bithorn intervened to remove fans attempting to display similar messages.
Incidents Extend Beyond the Pitch
Political tensions surrounding the Cuban team emerged even before the tournament began. In Phoenix, Arizona, journalists were expelled from a stadium during Cuba's practice sessions for attempting to interview players without submitting questions for prior approval by the delegation. A source from Pelota Cubana shared, "We were kicked out for trying to speak with the players. They told us to submit questions for review before deciding if the player would answer." Manager Germán Mesa tersely commented on the matter, stating, "I didn't see it. We're focused on the game."
Contributing to the strained atmosphere, the U.S. government denied visas to eight non-player members of the Cuban delegation, which included the iconic pitcher Pedro Luis Lazo, intended as a coach, and Juan Reinaldo Pérez Pardo, president of the Cuban Baseball Federation.
Cuba's Tournament Journey Ends
Team Cuba's time at the Hiram Bithorn has concluded. They were eliminated from the tournament on Wednesday after a 7-2 defeat by Canada, ending the first round with a 2-2 record and a third-place finish in Group A. Earlier, they lost 4-1 to Puerto Rico in front of 19,189 spectators.
These incidents have historical precedence. During the 2023 Classic in Miami, Marlins Park security blocked entry to "Patria y Vida" shirts and anti-communist signs, sparking protests outside and prompting Mayor Francis Suárez to call for a probe into the restrictions. In 2021, at the Pre-Olympic in West Palm Beach, television broadcasts captured signs reading "Díaz-Canel singa'o" and "Free Cuba," despite attempts to conceal them, and there was a field invasion incident.
Understanding Political Protests at Baseball Events
Why were the Cuban students removed from the stadium in Puerto Rico?
The students were ejected for shouting anti-dictatorship slogans during a game involving the Cuban team, which led to their removal by stadium security.
What historical incidents of political protests have occurred at baseball games?
Previous incidents include the 2023 Classic in Miami, where security blocked anti-communist attire, and the 2021 Pre-Olympic in West Palm Beach, where signs criticizing the Cuban regime appeared on broadcasts.