A Little League baseball team from Maracaibo, Venezuela—Cacique Mara—will miss the upcoming 2025 Senior League World Series in Easley, South Carolina, after all visa applications were rejected. The 13–16-year-old squad had earned their spot by emerging victorious in the Latin American regional finals.
Despite traveling to Bogotá, Colombia two weeks in advance to apply at the U.S. embassy, none of the players secured travel visas. Little League International described the outcome as “extremely disappointing” for the young athletes. Tournament organizers have invited the runner‑up Latin American team, Santa María de Aguayo from Victoria, Mexico, to take Venezuela’s place.
The visa denials fall under recent U.S. travel restrictions linked to a presidential proclamation affecting Venezuelan nationals. While exceptions exist for athletes competing in major international events, these allowances were not extended in this case. The U.S. State Department said consular officers are reviewing the matter to determine if proper procedures and possible appeals were followed.