Press release
SANTO DOMINGO. Cuban rower Leah Daniela Almeida left her country’s delegation during the celebration of the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026, a few days after winning the bronze medal in the women’s lightweight double sculls event.
According to information reported by journalist Francys Romero, the athlete left the Cuban team’s training camp before the delegation’s return to the island. So far, Cuban sports authorities have not offered an official version regarding the circumstances of her departure.
Almeida, together with her partner Ana Laura Jiménez, won the bronze medal on July 25th by recording a time of 7:36.59. The event was won by the Mexican duo composed of Edith Márquez and Aylin Madueña, while the silver went to the Venezuelans García and Meneses.
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This case represents the second defection of a member of the Cuban delegation during the Santo Domingo 2026 Games. Days earlier, field hockey goalkeeper Moisés David Torres Puig also left the team’s training camp.
The departures of Cuban athletes at international events have been recorded in various competitions over the last few years. At the San Salvador 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games, five field hockey players left the delegation, while similar cases have also been reported in other international competitions in disciplines such as canoeing, handball, athletics, and wrestling.
Cuba participates in Santo Domingo 2026 with a delegation of 504 athletes distributed across 42 sports disciplines.
