Venezuelan Baseball Players Face Unique Problems

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Eugenio Suarez is staying in the US.  Jose Peraza is going home to Venezuela.

What was once a simple individual decision has been complicated by the Nicolas Maduro government in the homeland of these two Reds’ players.

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Major League Baseball is aggressive about spreading its sport to fans around the world.

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MLB encourages its teams to develop players from around the world. It holds the World Baseball Classic every three years.  They play regular season games in Mexico, Australia and Japan.

The down side of the world wide expansion is the world’s attitudes toward acceptance of foreign nationals in general.  While the United States is known for being a melting pot for multiple cultures.  Recent political thought has turned to isolationist movements. 

Players from Venezuela now have to deal with social unrest in its native country as a socialist regime is attempting to dominate the country by force, by eliminating political dissidence and free thought and travel.  There has also been an economic price to play for its citizens.  Necessities are scarce and expensive for the average Venezuelan citizens.  Professional baseball players are getting caught up in the unrest with an uncertain future as far as playing in the United States.  It is  similar to Cuba, which ironically has become easier for baseball players to come to the United States.

Suarez was born 26-years ago in Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela but with the imminent birth of his daughter Nicolle, he is afraid he may not be able to return.

‘I have my family there,” Suarez said.  “I try to visit for Christmas with my family there and try to enjoy, the couple months.  Right now everybody knows Venzuela is in trouble.  So it is not easy to be there.  I don’t know if I will go to Venezuela this year because my daughter is coming on the way.  I don’t want to be in trouble. I love my country.  I want to go over there so bad.”

The September 19th birth of his daughter Nicolle influenced his decision to stay in the US over the winter.

Each player handles immigration issues for family members on their own,” said Eric Lee the Reds’ director of baseball operations, who is responsible for requesting visa form the United States Customs and Immigration Service.  “Based on what I've been hearing and reading, Geno's concerns might be more about the instability in Venezuela, and rumors that its government may impose controls that restrict Venezuelan nationals from leaving the country freely (not unlike Cuba).”

Peraza, who has seven brothers and sisters living in Venezuela, he wants to go back to see them but did not want any details about them to become public.

“It is very difficult to get a visa in Venezuela.  It is too difficult,” said Peraza, a 23-year old from San Diego, VZ.  He has to return to Venezuela before 2018.

“Whatever happens is going to happen,” Peraza said through interpreter Julio Murillo.  “I feel bad about the situation down there but there is nothing that I can do.”

There are 160 active players from Venezuela on the 30 rosters.

One of the most prominent Veneuelan players, Miguel Cabrera, reportedly,  has been threatened by those close to Maduro and forced to pay ransom to prevent his mother from being kidnaped.

Work visas tend to go smoother for Canadian players than those from Latin America to begin with.

“The petitioning process for a work visa for Canadian nationals is the same as for other countries, but I think it’s fair to say the cases are generally less complicated for USCIS to deal with,” Lee said.

The Reds and MLB have concerns about the future status of Venezuelan players, somewhat exacerbated by the changing US policies on immigration.  

“We are in close consultation with legal counsel and MLB to keep abreast of all proposed changes to make sure all players and staff have legal citizenship status, and are preparing to change our processes and act accordingly should substantive changes to US policy be enacted,” Lee said.

“By and large, the process of acquiring work visas for players is pretty smooth on our end.  That is not to say that players do not have issues, which they would be in a much better position to speak to,” Lee said.  “As I'm sure you well know, Cuban players who come to the US (or anywhere else) before they sign often have harrowing tales, but those are extremely personal and we don't always get the whole story on our end.”

With new US sanctions on Venezuela imposed by the Trump administration, there is concern about the future of baseball players born and living there.  It is uncertain what the reaction by Maduro will be or its effect on Venezuelan players.

“We are deeply concerned about the state of affairs in Venezuela and the safety of our Venezuelan players, coaches, staff, and their families,” Lee said.  “We have engaged each one individually and offered to do anything in our power to ensure that they and their families have a safe place to spend the winter.  Many have friends and family who remain in Venezuela, and as a result, some are inclined to return to provide help and support in person, which we understand and respect.”