Venezuela Wins World Baseball Classic: Players Won’t Celebrate at Home

Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez had secured an aircraft to transport the national baseball team home following their historic victory at the World Baseball Classic, but the players will remain in the United States due to their professional commitments, according to Sports Minister Franklin Cardillo.

Cardillo revealed on Friday that Major League Baseball teams had denied permission for the players to travel to Venezuela for a celebratory reception. “They have commitments with their teams, and their teams, unfortunately, did not give them permission to come to Venezuela,” he stated.

The Venezuelan team secured its first-ever World Baseball Classic championship on Tuesday, defeating the United States 3-2 in Miami. Despite the government’s efforts, including the provision of a dedicated aircraft, the players will be unable to celebrate the win with fans in their home country immediately.

Authorities are now working to arrange a visit for the team in November, Cardillo said, noting that the players had expressed a strong desire to return to Venezuela.

Prior to the announcement regarding travel restrictions, Rodríguez had been in communication with both the U.S. Government and Major League Baseball to facilitate the team’s return.

Venezuela is also expressing interest in hosting a future edition of the World Baseball Classic. Cardillo highlighted the passion of Venezuelan baseball fans, stating, “We have the best fans in Latin America and the world, I would say, we are sure that we are going to fill the stadium without much need, people will practically come alone to enjoy decent baseball.”

Cardillo also criticized the decision to move the Caribbean Series to Mexico, arguing that Venezuela has consistently demonstrated its capacity to host major sporting events. In December, the Caribbean Professional Baseball Confederation removed Venezuela as host of the tournament after the leagues of the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Puerto Rico declined to participate, a decision occurring amid heightened political tensions between the United States and Venezuela.

Omar López, the manager of the Venezuelan team, has recently achieved significant success, including winning the championship of the Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League with the Cangrejeros de Santurce, in addition to leading Venezuela to its first World Baseball Classic final.