It was a surprising turn for many, something expected for others. The cancellation of the long-awaited Intercontinental Baseball Tournament in Barranquilla has left fans and players dismayed. Sources close to the organizers confirmed to our sister page Pelota Cubana that the decision, to a large extent, is due to the pressure exerted by the Cuban dictatorship, in particular, through its counterpart Gustavo Petro.
What could one expect from a former left-wing guerrilla, that is a puppet of Havana? The despotic regime was also aided by certain voices in the exile itself thay played accomplice and wanted the same as the Castro regime. This people who live amongst us in Miami used their media outlets to ruin the unprecedented participation of the team of free Cubans, whatever its name would have been.
Team Renteria reported that the @ipbseries that would have taken place between January 26 and February 1 in Barranquilla, Colombia has been canceled.#Cubanbaseballdigest #IPBseries pic.twitter.com/tYhmRbMv4j
— Cuban Baseball Digest (@CBaseballDigest) January 17, 2024
According to sources in the Colombian Ministry of Sports, the Cuban government suggested that its vote before the Pan American Confederation would be linked to the condition that Barranquilla not host the Intercontinental Baseball Tournament. This political condition left FEPCUBE in a difficult position, which, in an attempt to save the tournament, made several concessions to the organizers. Among these concessions was the renunciation, at least publicly, of the anthem, the flag and even the change of name to “Dream Team.”
The news was announced today after a meeting held today in Barranquilla, in which the president of Colombia, along with several officials connected via the internet, made the decision to cancel the tournament. According to sources, political pressure from the Cuban dictatorship was a determining factor in this decision. From the beginning, the Colombian Ministry of Sports showed its dissatisfaction with the tournament, as reflected in a statement issued last Tuesday. (Certainly written by INDER). In the statement, the ministry rejected the FEPCUBE (Federation of professional Cuban baseball players) and denied financing the event. This initial rejection created tensions that intensified over time.
The cancellation of the Intercontinental Baseball Tournament in Barranquilla is not only a loss for fans and players, but also highlights the complex intersection between politics and sports in the region. Political rivalry has overshadowed the competitive spirit, leaving everyone wondering about the future of international sporting events in the city.