Cuban baseball player calls out extortion during the World Baseball Classic
Yadir Drake featured at the World Baseball Classic for the semi-finalists and has admitted he was a victim while he was at the tournament.
The World Baseball Classic has concluded, with Cuba playing a noteworthy role by advancing to the semifinals. However, their aspirations came to an end when they were defeated by the United States, who went on to become the tournament’s runner-up, Japan being crowned global champions. But other stories have emerged.
Este fue el cierre del "recibimiento" a parte del Equipo Cuba 🇨🇺 que participó en el Clásico Mundial
— Jerry Díaz 🇨🇺 (@Jerryto94) March 21, 2023
Hay quien lleva meses por aquí dando el beneficio de la duda a esta Federación e INDER
"Es un paso bla bla"pic.twitter.com/4OilRRSaaE
Yadir Drake, who plays in Mexico, has found himself embroiled in controversy. During the World Classic games in Chinese Taipei, Drake’s phone was allegedly used to criticize Raisel Iglesias for his comments against the national team. In response to the accusations, Drake took to social media
“My people, I just had my accounts hacked. My personal information is exposed, personal data and more, they are extorting me with the data they could get from my phone, and my lawyers are taking over,” he wrote.
⚠️⚠️⚠️Mi gente, me acaban de hackear mis cuentas, mi información personal está expuesta, datos personales y de más, me están extocionando con los datos que pudieron sacar de mi teléfono, ya mis abogados se están haciendo cargo⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️
— Yadir Drake (@yadir_drake) March 22, 2023
Yadir Drake and Cuba accused of treason
Many Cuban fans have accused Yadir Drake and the Cuban baseball players who attended with ‘Team Asere’ of having a poor memory or being complicit with a regime that has historically used sports for propaganda purposes. The Cuban government has often treated athletes like soldiers at the service of the so-called “revolution,” limiting their professional development and preventing their return to the country if they leave. As a result, many athletes are considered “traitors” by the regime.
Journalist José Raúl Gallego commented on Facebook, “The baseball player Yadir Drake (who does not live in Cuba) spends a few weeks traveling and living with Team Asere and now his accounts are hacked. When these things happen, the first thing you have to do is think about where you left your phone out of sight, who was nearby, if you clicked on a suspicious link.”
Violentas e indecentes agresiones en el estadio de Miami contra esposas y niños de peloteros del #EquipoCuba de beisbol. El odio, la intolerancia y la anarquía se apoderaron de la semifinal del #ClasicoMundialDeBeisbol en un lugar donde evidentemente no se respetan las leyes. pic.twitter.com/gtSDBmvtMK
— Guerrero Cubano (@GuerreroCubano2) March 20, 2023
In response to protests in Miami against the Cuban government, Drake lashed out in a video, criticizing those who talked about “Homeland and Life” and “Freedom.” He also spoke out against the disrespect shown to players and their families by those in the stands who threw objects at them.