Goalkeeper Moisés David Torres Puig from Las Tunas has made headlines as the first Cuban athlete to defect from the national delegation at the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo 2026.
Sports journalist Yasel Porto verified the incident on his platform, Dporto Sports News, after consulting direct sources and an audio recording from the athlete himself.
Torres Puig was the youngest member of the Cuban men's field hockey team, serving as the second goalkeeper. His defection occurred while the team was attending a women's match, a moment he seized to evade the venue's stringent security.
The Escape Plan
The athlete revealed to the reporter that he crafted a clever diversion to mislead the delegation's supervisors.
"I was extremely anxious about being caught. I felt they suspected something, but I requested ice claiming I had been hit by a ball during practice, which seemed to ease their suspicions," he explained.
Once the guards were less vigilant, Torres Puig executed his escape strategy.
"I told them I was going to dispose of the ice in a bin down the stadium corridor. That was my chance to leave with the person who helped me. We swapped clothes and walked out until the Uber arrived."
As the news broke, Torres Puig was attempting to reach out to his teammates, albeit unsuccessfully.
"I've tried contacting some team members, but no one has responded. I assume it's because of the tense situation," he mentioned in the same audio clip.
Recent Defections Highlight a Pattern
Torres Puig's case follows closely on the heels of a significant defection when nine out of twelve members of the Cuban canoeing team deserted during a training camp in Montreal, Canada, from July 15 to 18. This incident marks the largest defection in Cuban sports history within that discipline.
The Cuban field hockey scene has its own history of defections during international competitions. Notably, five players left the team during the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, in November 2023, and three more defected in Barcelona in May of the same year.
Cuba's delegation to Santo Domingo consists of 504 athletes—the largest in recent years—with an official goal of securing a top-three finish in the medal tally, aiming for at least 67 gold medals. However, the team has already seen significant defections even before the official start of the Games, scheduled for this Friday.
Journalist Yasel Porto warned that Torres Puig's defection might be the first of several during the tournament, citing "the existing legal complexities in the Dominican Republic regarding such actions" and the precedent set by the canoeing team weeks prior.
The men's field hockey competition in Santo Domingo is set from July 26 to August 4, leaving the Cuban team to face this phase of the tournament with one less goalkeeper.
Key Questions About Cuban Athlete Defections
Why did Moisés David Torres Puig defect from the Cuban delegation?
Moisés David Torres Puig defected due to the oppressive environment and stringent controls of the Cuban delegation, seeking freedom and better opportunities.
What impact do these defections have on Cuban sports?
Defections weaken the Cuban sports teams by reducing their competitive strength and highlighting systemic issues within the Cuban sports system.
What challenges do defecting athletes face?
Defecting athletes face legal complexities, potential isolation from former teammates, and the challenge of starting anew in a foreign country.