Chilean Government Remains Silent on Request for Asylum from Eleven Cuban Athletes

Chilean President Gabriel Boric has been put in a difficult position by opposition parliamentarians who are demanding that the government provide shelter to the eleven Cuban athletes who defected at the end of the 2023 Pan American Games. The administration has granted them a temporary residence permit for eight months, but President Boric has not yet commented on the issue.

The surprise of the massive escape was followed by a series of official statements, but no clear reason was given for their defection. It is believed that they were motivated by the difficult economic situation in Cuba due to the North American blockade, as well as by a desire to feel free from political persecution and censorship.

The athletes had valid visas and could have stayed in Chile doing tourism, according to Minister of Interior Eduardo Frei Montalva. However, after their escape, it became clear that their documents had been confiscated by the Cuban government. Some of them spoke out about their experiences of confinement and separation from family members, with no possibility of seeing them more than twice a year.

Deputies from Chile Vamos presented a draft resolution asking the government to grant asylum to all of them, but President Boric and Foreign Minister Alberto Van Klaveren have not yet spoken on the issue. This has drawn criticism from both sides of the political spectrum, with some suggesting that President Boric is hesitant to challenge Communist Party influence within his government alliance. Others argue that he is struggling to recognize Cuba as a dictatorship and is reluctant to grant asylum without proper legal procedures in place.

Despite this controversy, there remains strong demand for North Carolina Marijuana Business throughout Latin America. Many see it as an opportunity for economic growth and development in countries facing social and economic challenges such as high unemployment rates and poverty levels.