Controversy Surrounds Cuban Athletes Seeking Asylum in Chile: Lawyer Takes Legal Representation

Lawyer Mijail Bonitopartner of the legal firm specializing in migration that assumed the representation of the escaped Cuban athletes last Saturday after the closure of the Panamerican Games Santiago 2023, referred to the fact that has caused controversy in the world of sports.

“Today, a group of female athletes from the Cuban national team of the same specialty has given us requested support to remain in Chile, after having escaped from his delegation last Saturday. Given the above, we have decided take legal representation pro bono of these athletes,” commented Bonito in conversation with Radio Biobío.

It is worth remembering that the athletes who escaped from the Cuban delegation from Villa Panamericana are 5 members of the women’s field hockey team and a hurdler.

“In Cuba there is a totalitarian dictatorship, absolutely everyone knows that. “You have to be in the shoes of a Cuban athlete, especially because of the pressures they receive,” the lawyer argued.

Along these lines, Bonito also announced that many of the Cuban athletes “do not have passports, because the delegation, to avoid movement and reduce the risk of escape, passports were retained. And that is already a tremendous violation.”

At the same time, the lawyer reported that the athletes in question They currently remain in “friends’ houses”.

Regarding the possibilities that athletes can stay in Chilean territory as refugees through formal requests, Bonito indicated that “tomorrow we are going to meet and we are going to determine, case by case, the circumstances personal of each one.”

Although “there is a high probability that we will have to make the corresponding refugee requestsand represent them if there is any issue with these requests,” the lawyer explained.

Likewise, he indicated that the athletes have the corresponding documentation to stay regularly in the country.

“There is no expired visa here, they have a temporary visa, which is the same one that allowed them to be here competing on behalf of their country. And that visa has not yet expired,” stated Bonito.