Despite Diplomacy Advances, Athletes Continue To Flee Cuba

The relations between the U.S. and Cuba continues to thaw, but Cuban athletes, struggling to see the chance for rapid improvement in their circumstances, continue to flee for the United States.

In July alone, 18 athletes – two baseball players, four rowers, four soccer players and eight men’s field hockey players – all left their teams for the U.S. during international competition.

Here & Now's Jeremy Hobson speaks with Yale University professor Roberto González Echevarría about why these athletes continue to leave, and what – if any – chance there is that improved relations would spell an end to this trend.