Three Cuban kayakers have left their national canoeing team in Montreal, Canada, just under two weeks before the start of the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo. This information was disclosed by Cubalite, citing a source close to the team who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The athletes reported to have left the team are Madelen Heredia Domínguez, Lismary Bombino Rasúa, and Anthony Lamadrid Cabrera. These athletes were part of a group of 12 kayakers participating in the III World Cup of the sport and were supposed to compete in the Pan American Championship, which took place from July 13 to 15 in the same Canadian city.
Departure Details and Impact on Competitions
Two of the athletes left before participating in any event, depriving Cuba of representation in the women's 500-meter four-person kayak event. Heredia and Bombino made their exit prior to competing, impacting Cuba’s presence in this category.
In contrast, Lamadrid did compete in the World Cup, finishing seventh in the K4-500 meter semifinal 3 and sixth in the K1-500 meter heat 2 before departing from the team.
Official Media Response
The official Communist Party outlet, Granma, reported on the team’s results in Montreal on July 13, celebrating José Ramón Pelier’s silver in the C1-5000 meters and Yarisleidis Cirilo’s bronze in the C1-200 meters, yet omitting any mention of the three kayakers’ departure.
The state media also indicated that the team was scheduled to return to Cuba on July 16 to begin final preparations for the multi-sport event in Santo Domingo.
Background of the Departed Athletes
Heredia, from Guantánamo but residing in Matanzas, competed in the 2021 Cali-Valle Junior Pan American Games and the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile. She had previously traveled to Canada in August 2022 for a qualifying event.
Bombino, hailing from Cienfuegos, earned two bronze medals at the 2025 Asunción Junior Pan American Games in the K2-500 and K4-500 meter events. Lamadrid, from Villa Clara, also competed in Asunción 2025 and was part of the men’s K4-500 meter runner-up team.
Ongoing Trend of Departures
The defection of Cuban sports delegations while abroad has become a frequent occurrence, driven by the severe crisis on the island, including prolonged power outages, soaring inflation, and the regime's failure to provide basic living conditions for its athletes.
In May 2026, two Cuban boxers left the team during a stopover in Spain while en route to Germany. In 2025, at least four Cuban athletes deserted their delegation at the Asunción Junior Pan American Games, a number that rose to six before the event concluded.
More than 100 athletes have left delegations or breached contracts abroad annually since 2022, and over the past decade, more than 1,000 athletes have left official parties.
Cuba's Ambitious Goals for Santo Domingo 2026
The departures in canoeing come at a challenging time. The regime has registered a delegation of 504 athletes for the Central American Games—the largest in recent history—aiming for a top-three finish in the medal table and to secure about 68 gold medals. Canoeing was expected to contribute significantly, with Olympic-level athletes on the team.
The canoeing events in Santo Domingo 2026 are scheduled from August 5 to 7 at the Presa de Rincón Rowing and Canoeing Center in Bonao, as part of the Games starting on July 24.
Implications of Cuban Athlete Departures
Why did the Cuban kayakers leave the team?
While the specific reasons for each athlete's departure are not disclosed, the broader trend is influenced by the socio-economic crisis in Cuba, which includes power outages, inflation, and inadequate living conditions for athletes.
How does the departure of the athletes affect Cuba's participation in the Games?
The departure of these athletes impacts Cuba's representation in specific events, particularly the women’s 500-meter four-person kayak event, and may affect the country's chances of achieving its medal targets.
What has been the official response to athlete departures?
The official media, such as Granma, have focused on celebrating the remaining team’s achievements while omitting any mention of the athletes’ departures.