Venezuelan Little League Team Denied Entry To World Series Over Visa Issue

Authorities said that a Venezuelan all-star squad will not be able to compete in the Little League World Series since their visas were refused.

Venezuela’s Cacique Mara Little League wins the Latin American Regional Championship.

After winning the Latin American title in Mexico, the Cacique Mara team from Maracaibo, Venezuela, punched their ticket to the Senior Little League World Series and was set to travel to the United States for the major tournament.

“Little League Cacique Mara in Venezuela takes home the Latin American Regional title to make their way to Easley, SC, to play in the Senior League World Series!” authorities tweeted. “See you all in 40 days for the first pitch!”

The crew was feeling excited, but that soon turned sour when they learned they would not be allowed to enter the US. Venezuela is one of the nations the Trump administration has prohibited from entering the US.

“Unfortunately, the Venezuelan Cacique Mara Little League team was unable to secure the necessary visas to attend the Senior League Baseball World Series,” a statement from Little League International stated.

“It is extremely disappointing, especially to these young athletes.”

Athletes between the ages of 13 and 16 compete in the Senior League Baseball World Series every summer in Easley, South Carolina; this tournament has grown in popularity over time.

The World Series starts this year on Saturday, July 26.

“It is a mockery on the part of Little League to keep us here in Bogot with the hope that our children can fulfill their dreams of participating in a world championship,” the team stated in an additional statement.

“With so much injustice, what do we do? What should we do about our children’s suffering?

The runner-up in the Latin American tournament, Santa Maria de Aguayo Little League from Victoria, Mexico, will take the place of the Venezuelan team.

According to several accounts, Little League International President Kendrick Gutierrez stated, “I think this is the first time this has happened, but it shouldn’t end this way.”

“They’re going to replace us with another team because relations have been severed; it’s not fair,” he said. “I don’t understand why they put Mexico in at the last minute and left Venezuela out.”

Beginning on July 26 and ending on Saturday, August 2, the Senior Little League World Series will take place.