Cuba pushes for top spot in medal table at 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games

Cuba’s delegation is on track to finish among the leaders of the medal table at the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo. Rowers Leduar Suárez and Reidy Cardona won gold in the men’s double scull, while the women’s pair Raima Ortiz and Loraidis Echevarría earned silver. In judo, Marlon Herrera captured gold in the 73 kg category, defeating Mexico’s Ulises Méndez in nine seconds, and teammates Mailyn del Toro and Anisleydis Ur added bronze medals.

The Cuban team aims for 60‑70 gold medals to secure third place overall, with a target of 72 golds that would make it the first nation to total 2,000 golds since the games began in 1926. Additional Cuban successes include a semifinal place in archery for Hugo Franco, a podium finish in rhythmic gymnastics for Isabela Rojas, and a sixth‑place finish in skeet shooting for 2004 Olympic champion Juan M. Rodríguez.

Cuba’s performance across rowing, judo, taekwondo, archery and other sports keeps it within striking distance of its historic medal goals as the competition enters its final stages.