Moisés David Torres, a goalkeeper for the Cuban national field hockey team, has opened up about his daring escape from the island's delegation during the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo. He shared his reasons for abandoning his sports and academic career to remain in the Dominican Republic.
"Returning to Cuba means prison," declared the 21-year-old during an interview with the show "Esto No Es Radio" on ALOFOKE FM 99.3, broadcasted this Monday.
Originally from Las Tunas, Torres was the first Cuban athlete to break away from the delegation during the sporting event on July 24.
The Struggles of a Cuban Athlete
The young athlete described a harsh reality of inadequate wages, poor nutrition, and extended periods away from his family, despite being part of the national team.
"We earn 3,500 pesos when a single meal can cost 2,000 or 1,000 pesos," he criticized.
He recounted training for about four hours daily without receiving adequate nutrition to sustain his physical exertion. Additionally, he lived in a dormitory in Havana, a 14-hour journey away from his family, whom he could only visit at specific times of the year.
Torres shared cramped living quarters with 23 other athletes, all squeezed into just two rooms.
Having played hockey since age 12 and attending his fourth year of Physical Culture studies, he chose to leave behind even the opportunity to graduate.
"I preferred to be here rather than be a college graduate," he stated firmly.
How Torres Made His Escape
Torres had been planning his escape for months. Since 2025, he had been in contact via WhatsApp with a Dominican citizen who offered to help and provide shelter.
On July 24, he seized the opportunity when the delegation's attention was diverted by a women's friendly match between Cuba and the Dominican Republic.
To slip past the guards, he pretended to have been injured during practice, asking for ice. He then feigned going into the hallway to dispose of it.
His contact awaited him there. Torres quickly changed clothes, and together they left the venue in a car called through an app.
"I seized the moment and left," he recounted.
After his escape, individuals affiliated with Dominican hockey warned him that he was being sought and advised him to stay off the grid to avoid being found.
The Consequences of Returning
Torres also mentioned seeing a Cuban dressed in a Puerto Rican uniform before leaving the delegation. He suspected the person was part of the surveillance around athletes, though he could not provide evidence of this individual's identity or role.
"If I go back to Cuba, I'm completely dehumanized," the hockey player asserted.
He explained that returning to Cuba is not an option because of the severe legal repercussions. "There's a penal code called treason to the homeland. What could they do to you? Eight years in prison. That's the fear of going back to Cuba," he explained.
Beyond potential legal consequences, Torres expressed fear of living under constant surveillance and facing reprisals.
Currently, he remains in the Dominican Republic without his passport, which he said was kept by the Cuban delegation upon arrival. He maintains limited contact with his family, concerned about possible repercussions against them.
His brother publicly pleaded for help days after Torres' escape.
Oscar Sánchez Serra, an official and director of the state-run newspaper Jit, attempted to downplay the incident, framing it as a personal choice and claiming that Torres had traveled with full guarantees from the Cuban government.
However, Torres' account paints a starkly different picture.
Torres was not alone in his decision to defect. At least five Cuban athletes left the delegation during the Santo Domingo Games.
Additionally, the Dominican government ordered the expulsion of nine Cuban diplomats, a move some media reports linked to allegations of surveillance activities against defecting athletes.
Amid the uncertainty of his immigration status, Torres sent a message to his family back in Cuba:
"Keep moving forward, knowing there's a son here fighting for you."
Questions Surrounding Cuban Athletes' Defections
Why did Moisés David Torres decide to defect from Cuba?
Torres decided to defect due to insufficient wages, poor nutrition, and the prolonged separation from his family despite being part of the national team.
What were the conditions like for Torres while he was on the Cuban national team?
Torres described working under harsh conditions, receiving inadequate wages, and living in cramped quarters with 23 other athletes in just two rooms.
How did Torres manage to escape from the Cuban delegation?
Torres planned his escape for months, coordinating with a Dominican contact. He used a diversion during a women's match to fake an injury and slip past the guards.
What are the potential consequences for Torres if he returns to Cuba?
Returning to Cuba could mean imprisonment for up to eight years due to charges of treason to the homeland, according to Torres.