Travel plans for professional athletes connected to Venezuela shifted suddenly after a U.S. military operation aimed at capturing the country’s leader. The move triggered flight restrictions across parts of the Caribbean, creating delays and uncertainty for players in multiple sports.

Baseball players tied to Major League Baseball felt the impact first, though soccer leagues also faced challenges as teams worked to keep athletes safe and on schedule.

Baseball Schedules Disrupted as Flights Halt

The Venezuelan Winter League playoffs stopped mid-action after the operation caused flight uncertainty. League officials paused games to protect players and staff. Play is expected to resume Wednesday, though travel delays remain a concern.

The disruption affected the league’s 100 Dominican players as well. Many relied on regional flights that stopped over the weekend. The number of MLB-affiliated players, coaches, and staff in the league remains unclear, including those from minor league systems.

Instagram | www.essentiallysports.com | Officials paused VWL playoffs to ensure player and staff safety amid travel issues.

MLB rosters listed 63 Venezuelan-born players on Opening Day 2025. Venezuela and the Dominican Republic continue to supply a large share of foreign-born talent. Any regional travel issue creates concern across the league.

The U.S. placed temporary flight limits on parts of the Caribbean on Saturday, the same day as the operation. These limits added pressure to an already tight travel system. The U.S. has blocked direct flights to and from Venezuela since 2019. Players spending the holidays in Venezuela and nearby countries had few ways to leave. While spring training sits more than a month away, flight backlogs still caused stress for teams and players.

MLB and MLS Teams Act to Support Players

MLB teams confirmed direct contact with Venezuelan players to confirm safety and plan travel. The league chose not to share details publicly.

Cleveland Guardians spokesperson Bart Swain told ESPN, “We have been in touch with them, but we've been advised by the league to not provide details until things settle down some.”

Baltimore Orioles senior vice president of communications Jennifer Grondahl said, “We have been in touch with our players and staff from Venezuela and all are safe. We will continue to monitor the situation as we get closer to spring training and take the necessary steps to ensure their safe travel to Sarasota.”

The Orioles did not answer follow-up questions. A Chicago White Sox spokesperson told ESPN, “So far, everything has been positive. It's still too early in this process to offer much more.”

Instagram | jacksonbryaan | This season, both Luisangel Acuna and Jackson Chourio played in Venezuela.

New York Mets infielder Luisangel Acuna and Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio both played in Venezuela this season.

Soccer teams also faced challenges. Several MLS clubs confirmed regular contact with Venezuelan players. Some players were outside the country during the operation, which eased travel plans. Orlando City and Portland expect their Venezuelan players to report on time for training camp.

One MLS prospect, Yair Gomes from FC Cincinnati’s program, was in Venezuela during the operation. A team spokesperson told ESPN that Gomes left by car, crossed into Colombia, and then flew to the United States. He departed Monday and was set to arrive late Tuesday. His return came earlier than planned so he could start preseason training.

MLS did not respond to requests for comment.

NWSL Watches Travel Plans as Season Nears

The National Women’s Soccer League also tracked the situation. Portland Thorns forward Deyna Castellanos has been in Venezuela since December. She spent time with family and ran youth camps during her visit.

Thorns spokesperson Matthew Radmanovich said, “She is planning on returning to the U.S. next week in preparation for the season and doesn't anticipate any issues. That said, we are available as a resource at any point should she need the club's assistance.”

The military operation showed how fast global events can disrupt professional sports. Teams across MLB, MLS, and the NWSL continue to monitor travel conditions. No major safety issues have surfaced so far.

However, teams remain alert as preseason schedules approach and flight routes stabilize.