A Venezuelan Little League team has been blocked from competing in the Senior League Baseball World Series after being denied U.S. travel visas under President Donald Trump’s travel ban, according to the Daily Beast.
The Cacique Mara Little League team from Maracaibo had traveled to Bogotá, Colombia, two weeks early to apply for visas. Despite their efforts, the 15-year-old players were denied entry.
League president Kendry Gutiérrez said the youth athletes are “demoralized” and simply want “to compete and honor Venezuela and Latin America.”
Little League International called the development “extremely disappointing.” The runner-up team from Victoria, Mexico, will now represent the region in the tournament.
Venezuelan official William Castillo blamed State Secretary Marco Rubio, calling it “an attack on Venezuela.”
Though Trump’s ban includes exceptions for sporting events, those waivers are granted at Rubio’s discretion. A Cuban volleyball team faced similar issues earlier this month.