Venezuela’s under-12 baseball team missed the 2026 Kids Caribbean Series in Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico, after immigration authorities requested an unexpected special travel authorization document at the last minute. The team, featuring players aged 11 and 12 alongside coaches and officials, was stranded at El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá, Colombia, en route to the tournament. According to tournament coverage, the airline delayed the flight, offloaded the team’s luggage, and forced the delegation to return to Venezuela.
Tournament Schedule and Format Changes in Tepic
The sudden absence of the Venezuelan roster forced tournament organizers to revise the schedule immediately. Venezuela was originally scheduled to play the opening match against host nation Mexico. With the withdrawal confirmed, the tournament format was streamlined to feature five competing squads: the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, and two teams representing Mexico. Games take place at the Coloso del Pacífico “Don Alejo Peralta” stadium in Tepic, Nayarit, running from August 10 through August 16, 2026.
Return to Venezuela and Official Confirmation
Upon touching down in Venezuela following the travel disruption, players and staff received a warm welcome from fans and families chanting “¡Venezuela, uh!” and “¡Buena, mis niños, vamos, chamos!” at the terminal. The withdrawal leaves the international youth baseball showcase without one of its expected Caribbean contenders as round-robin play gets underway in Nayarit.
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