Venezuela defends role as Caribbean series host
CARACAS, Venezuela
Venezuela’s besieged socialist government wants to go ahead with an international baseball tournament despite safety concerns stemming from anti-government unrest that has roiled the nation in the past week.
On Saturday, Sports Minister Pedro Infante, flanked by Venezuelan winter league officials, said that the government can guarantee security for the teams from five countries signed up to participate in the Caribbean Series, which is set to start Saturday in Barquisimeto.
Major League Baseball this week recommended in the “strongest terms” that players and staff not travel to Venezuela for the tournament.
The Caribbean Professional Baseball Leagues Confederation has yet to determine if a site change will be needed..
Staff/wire report