Cuba is gearing up for the Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo 2026 with an ambitious goal: to finish among the top three countries in the overall medal standings. This objective was confirmed by sports officials and experts during a broadcast of the program Mesa Redonda.
According to the official plan presented on the show, the Cuban delegation aims to secure at least 67 gold medals. Achieving this target would put them in a strong position in the general ranking of the event, which takes place from July 24 to August 8 in the Dominican Republic.
The athletics team leads the expectations with a projection of 12 gold titles, the highest for any discipline in Cuba's medal strategy. Following closely are shooting with seven golds, and canoeing, judo, wrestling, and boxing, each aiming for six.
Participants in the program included Víctor Corona, a methodologist from the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (INDER); Olympic shot put champion Yumileidis Cumbá; and journalists Carlos Hernández Luján and Norland Rosendo, who discussed the delegation's strengths and challenges.
The Cuban team registered for Santo Domingo 2026 comprises 504 athletes—276 men and 228 women—competing in 37 sports, with an average age of 25 years and three months. These athletes hail from 15 provinces and 104 municipalities across the nation.
Among this group, 173 athletes, representing 34.3%, have previously competed in past editions of the Central American and Caribbean Games, bringing valuable experience to a team set to participate in 356 out of the 497 events scheduled.
However, the Cuban aspirations suffered a setback when Erislandy Álvarez, the Olympic boxing champion in the 63.5 kg category from Paris 2024, was forced to withdraw from the Santo Domingo games due to emergency surgery.
His absence is particularly impactful in boxing, where Cuba had hoped for six gold medals, depriving the delegation of one of its most notable athletes, who clinched the Olympic gold in Paris by defeating France's Sofiane Oumiha by split decision in the final.
Cuban sports also face a structural crisis accentuated by athlete defections. In July 2026, nine out of 12 members of the Cuban canoeing team defected in Montreal during a pre-games competition, marking one of the most notable incidents in recent months.
Despite these challenges and limitations, authorities remain optimistic about the regional event. The most recent precedent is San Salvador 2023, where Cuba finished third in the medal tally with 74 golds, 59 silvers, and 63 bronzes, behind Mexico and Colombia. This result serves as a benchmark for the goals of this edition.
The flag bearers for Santo Domingo 2026 are Leyanis Pérez, world champion in triple jump, and wrestler Luis Orta, as announced during a ceremony presided over by Díaz-Canel on July 18.
Cuba's Sports Strategy for Santo Domingo 2026
What is Cuba's medal target for the Santo Domingo 2026 Games?
Cuba aims to secure at least 67 gold medals to finish among the top three countries in the overall medal standings.
Which sports are expected to bring the most success for Cuba?
Athletics is expected to be the most successful, with projections for 12 gold medals, followed by shooting, and canoeing, judo, wrestling, and boxing.
How has athlete defection affected Cuba's preparation?
Defections, such as those from the canoeing team in Montreal, have created a structural crisis, impacting Cuba's preparation and morale.