The Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation has issued a formal protest against its sudden exclusion from the upcoming Caribbean Series, denouncing the decision as a breach of protocol and a sign of disrespect. The controversy emerged after the Caribbean Professional Baseball Confederation (CBPC) unilaterally moved the tournament from its original host, Venezuela, to Guadalajara, Mexico, without consulting the Cuban federation.
The Federation, in an official statement, clarified that while the initial invitation was extended by Venezuela, it was formally endorsed by the CBPC—an organization Cuba helped establish. The statement emphasized that the CBPC failed to communicate ‘regarding such an important decision, which undermines the established commitments and the format approved by our country to participate.’
The venue change was prompted after baseball leagues from Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic withdrew from the Greater Caracas location, citing logistical challenges unrelated to the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. The CBPC subsequently approved a proposal from the ARCO Mexican Pacific League, led by the Charros de Jalisco organization, to host the event from February 1–7.
The Cuban Federation asserted that the change of venue does not justify Cuba’s exclusion and stressed that the nation ‘deserves and demands respectful treatment,’ particularly given the sensitive context surrounding Cuban sports. The statement also situated the incident within broader geopolitical tensions, referencing what it described as ‘US military harassment, aggression, and encirclement’ of Venezuela, and alluding to recent statements by former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the nation’s oil resources.