The final contingent of the Cuban delegation returning from the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games touched down at Havana’s José Martí International Airport on Monday morning, concluding a multi-sport campaign defined by strong performances in individual events alongside historic setbacks in traditional flagship sports, according to state media reports.
Official Homecoming at Terminal 3
Carrying representatives from canoeing, athletics, boxing, and weightlifting, the arriving athletes were greeted at Terminal 3 by high-ranking government and party figures. According to coverage from state media outlet Jit and regional reporting, the welcome committee included Vice Prime Minister Inés María Chapman Waugh, Teresa Amarelle Boué of the Political Bureau and General Secretary of the Federation of Cuban Women, Meivis Estévez of the Union of Young Communists, and Osvaldo Vento Montiller, President of the National Institute of Sports.
Addressing the gathering upon arrival, canoeist Yarisleidis Cirilo Duboy reflected on the delegation’s mindset throughout the competition in Santo Domingo. “We return with our hearts filled with pride because every step we took, every effort was inspired by the people who resist and triumph despite all adversities,” Cirilo said, as reported by Cuba Headlines. The three-time champion in Santo Domingo and Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medalist emphasized that the athletes felt continuous backing from home. “Whether we came back with medals or not, we felt the support of every Cuban. We were never alone; they ran, jumped, lifted, and paddled with us,” she added.
Medal Standings and Official Targets
Cuba finished third overall in the final medal table for the Santo Domingo 2026 Games, collecting 51 gold medals, 48 silvers, and 56 bronzes for a total of 155 podium finishes. Mexico finished atop the standings with 167 gold medals, while Colombia claimed second place with 91 golds.
While the delegation successfully secured its pre-competition objective of finishing among the top three nations in the region, the gold medal count fell short of the official internal projection of at least 67 titles. Standout athletic achievements, particularly in canoeing where Cirilo Duboy swept the C-1 200m, C-2 500m, and mixed canoe 500m events, helped anchor the medal count.
Historic Setbacks in Baseball and Boxing
Despite podium placements across multiple sports, the Santo Domingo Games laid bare severe vulnerabilities in Cuba’s historically dominant disciplines. Most notably, the men’s baseball team finished outside the medal bracket for the first time in 60 years—dating back to the 1966 edition in San Juan—after dropping a 9-1 decision to Puerto Rico in the bronze medal game.
Combat sports also saw unprecedented challenges. The men’s boxing squad failed to secure a single gold medal at the event, with all three of its male finalists dropping their championship bouts to opponents from the Dominican Republic.
The delegation’s time in the Dominican Republic was further disrupted by athlete departures. Reports confirmed at least two defections during the competition window: hockey goalkeeper Moisés David Torres Puig left the team on July 24, followed by rower Leah Daniela Almeida on July 28, just days after securing a bronze medal.
Political Framing and Historical Parallels
Yero invoked the 1966 voyage of the ship Cerro Pelado to San Juan, drawing a parallel to argue that the geopolitical pressures facing Cuban athletics remain unchanged across decades.
The official homecoming unfolded just days ahead of the centenary of Fidel Castro’s birth on August 13. Closing out her remarks at the airport, Cirilo Duboy reiterated the squad’s competitive commitment. “We will continue training with discipline, competing courageously, and we promise to keep defending the solitary star flag,” she stated.
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