Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Five athletes from Cuba's national youth delegation defected during the Junior Pan American Games in Asunción, Paraguay, and said they intend to remain in the country.
Paraguayan Interior Minister Enrique Riera confirmed at a national press conference that the case was a defection and that the athletes are adults. He added that, at that time, none had started the formal process of applying for political asylum.
The athletes -- three rowers, a judo specialist and a handball player -- defected in two separate incidents. Four left their delegation during a sightseeing trip and later told Cuban officials they would not return, while the judoka fled Friday when his delegation let its guard down.
The athletes' defection also drew attention on social media, where Cuban communities in Paraguay began organizing to support them. Content creators Harche Vlog and Yanet Jackson Leyet said on TikTok they have been in direct contact with the athletes and have formed support groups as the athletes work to complete refugee paperwork.
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