In a move that has sparked both relief and controversy, Major League Baseball (MLB) teams have taken unprecedented steps to ensure their Venezuelan players are safely back in the U.S. following a shocking military strike on Venezuela. But here’s where it gets controversial: while teams claim it’s about player safety, critics argue it’s a calculated move to avoid disruptions to spring training. Let’s dive into the details.
Earlier this year, the U.S. launched a military operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on January 3. Almost immediately, MLB executives sprang into action, prioritizing the swift return of their Venezuelan players to the U.S. This proactive approach wasn’t just about safety—it was about ensuring these players could report on time for spring training, which kicked off this week in Florida and Arizona. And it worked. Most players who stayed behind have since secured visas without major hurdles, according to agents and front-office executives who spoke to ESPN.
‘As soon as the situation with Maduro unfolded, teams were like, ‘Let’s get our players here now, not later,’ one agent representing several Venezuelan players explained. ‘Many of them have been here for weeks already.’
For context, Venezuelan players without U.S. citizenship or residency need P-1A visas to play in the MLB. With the U.S. embassy in Caracas closed since 2019, these players typically travel to Colombia or the Dominican Republic to secure their visas before heading to the U.S. However, the process hasn’t been smooth. Two agents revealed that their clients faced unusually long delays in Colombia, with one player stuck for over three weeks before finally making it to Arizona for training. This comes amid broader immigration crackdowns, which have also affected players from the Dominican Republic—together, these two countries made up 61.5% of Opening Day rosters in 2025.
‘I’ve never seen a team start visa processing in December for a player with no history of issues,’ another agent noted. ‘It’s a clear sign that things are different this year.’
To mitigate these challenges, teams began their visa processes earlier than ever. Full-squad workouts for the 30 MLB teams start this weekend, and while many players are still reporting, late arrivals among pitchers and catchers have been minimal—as is typical. Only two Venezuelan players, Atlanta Braves reliever Robert Suarez and Chicago Cubs catcher Moises Ballesteros, were reported as late arrivals.
‘We made sure our Venezuelan players arrived early,’ said Angels general manager Perry Minasian, reflecting the sentiment across the league.
Take Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio, for example. He was playing winter ball in Venezuela when the U.S. operation began. Though he wanted to finish the season, Brewers officials urged him to leave for the U.S. immediately. ‘They’re under immense pressure to play for their country,’ said Brewers president of baseball operations Matt Arnold. ‘But their safety has to come first.’
Adding to the complexity, former President Donald Trump’s 2023 travel ban included partial restrictions on Venezuela, though it exempted athletes traveling for major events like the World Cup or Olympics. A league official confirmed that the U.S. Department of State has been cooperative in facilitating Venezuelan players’ entry for spring training.
Looking ahead, there’s hope that the process will improve. The U.S. embassy in Caracas is expected to reopen, and direct flights from Venezuela to the U.S. are set to resume after a seven-year pause. For now, though, teams and players are breathing a sigh of relief that a potential crisis was averted.
And this is the part most people miss: While the focus has been on player safety, the swift action also highlights MLB’s reliance on international talent and the lengths teams will go to protect their investments. Is this a commendable move to protect players, or a strategic play to avoid training disruptions? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. The debate is far from over.
