Two months ago, Cuban national Orlando Hernandez earned $10 a month as a sports trainer in a Cuban mental hospital. Today, he is in a position to earn millions as a star player in America’s Major League Baseball League. But whether he will play in America remains an open question.
Hernandez fled his homeland at the end of December on a raft along with seven other Cubans. They landed in the Bahamas and then sought asylum in the US. After a rush of diplomatic activity, the US State Department announced that Hernandez would be granted “humanitarian parole” and be allowed to enter America. The same status was granted to Hernandez’ wife and Alberto Hernandez, a former catcher for the Cuban national baseball team. The five other rafters were ignored by US authorities and left to the responsibility of Bahamian officials.
State Department spokesman James Foley explained the decision to grant Hernandez legal status: “Following the defection from Cuba of Livan Hernandez, Orlando Hernandez Pedroso and Alberto Hernandez Perez were banned for life from organized baseball in Cuba – depriving them of their livelihoods – and subjected to harassment. Under ordinary circumstances, these individuals would qualify for US visas issued to persons of extraordinary ability, including in athletics, but the restrictions imposed on them made that impossible.”
The State Department was placed in an awkward position. Cuba and the Bahamas have an agreement to repatriate Cubans who defect. On the other hand, the Cuban American community in the United States expressed a strong interest in granting legal status to the defectors.
Hernandez decided not to travel to the US right away, however, stating that he was concerned for the five others who traveled with him that were not granted legal status in the US. Hernandez stated that he would not leave the Bahamas until he was sure his companions would not be returned to Cuba.
Miami Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart did succeed in getting the whole group transit visas to Nicaragua in order to make plans to settle in another country and avoid a return to Havana. Hernandez’ wife left for Miami while the other seven went to Nicaragua.
Some questioned Hernandez’ true motives in going to Nicaragua rather than the US. By remaining outside the country, Hernandez avoids the Major League Baseball draft and will not be forced to negotiate with one team.
Many commentators expressed anger over the fact that Hernandez was given super-expedited treatment while more than 80 Cubans languish in the same detention center in Nassau.
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