# Julio César La Cruz and Leyanis Pérez to Carry Cuba's Flag at the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo

**Date:** 05/09/2026

Boxer Julio César La Cruz and triple jumper Leyanis Pérez have been officially designated as the flag bearers for Cuba's delegation to the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo 2026, scheduled from July 24 to August 8 in the Dominican Republic.


The announcement was made on May 7, 2026, at a press conference held at the Hall of the Ciudad Deportiva in Havana, led by officials of the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (INDER).


Leyanis Pérez Hernández, born January 10, 2002, in Pinar del Río, has established herself as one of the world's top triple jumpers. She is the reigning two-time indoor world champion — Nanjing 2025 and Toruń 2026, where she defended her title with a jump of 14.95 meters — and also holds the outdoor world title. A regular Diamond League competitor, she is one of the brightest stars of Cuban athletics. This will be her first time serving as flag bearer at a multi-sport event.


Julio César De la Cruz Peraza, known as "La Sombra" (The Shadow), born August 11, 1989, in Camagüey, is a two-time Olympic champion — light heavyweight at Rio 2016 and super heavyweight at Tokyo 2020 — and five-time world champion. He is considered one of the greatest legends in Cuban sports history. His career spans eight World Championship appearances, making him the most experienced member of the national contingent.


According to INDER's High Performance Technical Director Oscar Nuevo Reyes, Cuba has 429 officially qualified athletes in 36 disciplines for the regional games, with 240 men and 189 women. The delegation is expected to grow to around 500 athletes once quotas in athletics and women's handball are confirmed.


The XXV Central American and Caribbean Games hold special significance this year, marking the centennial of these regional games, with more than 6,000 athletes from the Caribbean basin expected to compete across 40 sports. Cuba's goal is to finish among the top three countries in the medal standings.