MLB teams force urgent exodus as sudden conflict sparks safety fears
Major League Baseball franchises have aggressively accelerated efforts to transport Venezuelan players to the United States following the US military strike targeting President Nicolas Maduro on 3 January.
Executives across the league united behind a singular strategy to mitigate immediate safety risks.
The priority was clear: secure the safe arrival of talent well ahead of spring training schedules in Florida and Arizona.
This decisive action appears to have largely succeeded in avoiding mass absences across the sport.
Visa hurdles and border delays
For those unable to travel immediately, the logistical path has proved treacherous.
With the US embassy in Caracas closed since 2019, athletes must navigate third-party nations like Colombia or the Dominican Republic to process paperwork.
One agent described clients enduring weeks of uncertainty in limbo before finally gaining approval to travel north.
“As soon as the Maduro thing happened, teams were like, ‘Let’s get guys here sooner rather than later,'” one representative revealed.
“So, a lot of guys have just been here for a while.”
Stars urged to leave winter ball
The geopolitical instability has directly impacted on-field preparation for the upcoming campaign.
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio was playing winter ball in his homeland when the military operation began.
Despite a desire to finish the season, the rising star was urged by franchise personnel to seek safety in the US immediately.
It highlights the immense pressure placed on the South American contingent, who make up a significant portion of the league’s talent pool.
Along with stars from the Dominican Republic, these nations represented over 61% of Opening Day rosters in 2025.
“We were proactive”
Only a small number of athletes have faced confirmed delays in reporting to camp.
Among the late arrivals are Atlanta Braves reliever Robert Suarez and Chicago Cubs catcher Moises Ballesteros.
Perry Minasian, general manager of the Los Angeles Angels, summed up the league-wide sentiment regarding the crisis.
“We were proactive in having our players come out early,” Minasian confirmed.
“I’ve never dealt with a team in December trying to process visas,” another agent admitted. “Things are different.”