Background on the Caribbean Baseball Series
The Caribbean Baseball Series (Serie del Caribe) is an annual international baseball tournament featuring teams from Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela. The event showcases the best talent from across the Caribbean region and has been a long-standing tradition in baseball.
Key Participants
For the 2026 edition, teams from Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Mexico have withdrawn their participation. These teams are members of the Confederation of Baseball of the Caribbean (CBPC). Cuba, Panama, and Japan are expected to participate as guest teams, as they are not members of the CBPC.
Reasons for Withdrawal
The CBPC announced on Monday that Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Mexico declined to participate in the 2026 Caribbean Baseball Series in Venezuela, citing “external situations beyond their control.” This comes amidst a military buildup in the Caribbean by the United States, which President Nicolás Maduro claims aims to overthrow him and seize Venezuela’s oil resources.
U.S. Military Buildup in the Caribbean
In September, the U.S. military intensified its operations in the Caribbean region, deploying its largest aircraft carrier and other warships, fighter jets, and thousands of troops. The U.S. asserts that these actions are part of its fight against drug trafficking, targeting alleged narco-boats with near-daily airstrikes resulting in almost 100 fatalities.
Impact on the Caribbean Baseball Series
The escalating military presence in the Caribbean has created logistical challenges for teams planning to participate in the series. Airlines have suspended operations with Venezuela following a U.S. Federal Aviation Administration warning in November about increased military activity in the region. As a result, only Venezuelan flag carriers continue to operate.
CBPC’s Response
The CBPC acknowledged the situation and stated, “We continue to responsibly evaluate the circumstances, considering various available alternatives.” The organization has not formally withdrawn the host country but is exploring options to ensure the tournament’s successful execution.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the Caribbean Baseball Series? It’s an annual international baseball tournament featuring teams from Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela.
- Which teams have withdrawn from the 2026 series? Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Mexico have withdrawn due to external factors beyond their control.
- Why are these teams withdrawing? The primary reason is the U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean, which has created logistical challenges and safety concerns for participating teams.
- What are the logistical challenges? Airlines have suspended operations with Venezuela due to increased military activity, leaving only Venezuelan flag carriers for travel.
- How is the CBPC responding? The CBPC is evaluating the situation responsibly and exploring available alternatives to ensure the tournament’s success.
