The actions taken yesterday by the Americans aimed at countering the Venezuelan regime by taking control of the country have repercussions in the world of sport.
The Milwaukee Brewers, to name just a few, are worried about their athletes native to this South American country following the events experienced there.
The arrest of Nicolas Maduro will certainly have consequences on the geopolitical scene, but also creates a feeling of helplessness for certain sports teams who do not really know how to negotiate with the situation. For now, the Brewers don’t really know where to stand regarding three of their players: Jackson Chourio, Andruw Monasterio and catcher Jeferson Quero.
Chourio is a key piece in the Brewers’ lineup and they certainly do not want to see their player of the future be the victim of collateral effects linked to this political gesture.
The latest news was that Chourio was still playing for the Aguilas del Zulia team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. This association with the team from his country of origin was intended to keep in shape and perfect his natural skills.
The Brewers and their outfielder had agreed that the latter would end his winter season by the end of the regular league schedule scheduled for the end of January. It could well be that recent events accelerate the process and that the team seeks to repatriate its young player more quickly.
Another question arises: to what extent will the current situation affect the presence of the Venezuelan team which will take part in the next World Classic scheduled for next March? Although the Division D matches will all take place in Miami, the fact remains that the spirit of the Venezuelan delegation will possibly not be 100% dedicated to baseball.
For now, the Brewers’ priority is making sure their players and families are safe. Every conflict, however controlled, has its share of unforeseen events and human lives must ultimately be preserved.
Professional athletes are, first and foremost, human beings who live to the rhythm of global events and when these are first and foremost affected, it is all the more worrying.
Let us hope that the American intervention in Caracas has not had any unfortunate consequences and that the arrest of President Maduro does not degenerate by endangering the security of the country and its inhabitants.
It’s difficult to concentrate on sport when upheavals like this occur, but politics too often places itself well above everything else and occasionally causes a shock wave that has greater implications than expected at the origin of the gesture itself.
Let’s keep the focus on the Brewers’ next season and the performance of their Venezuelan players. Once calm returns, Chourio, Monasterio and Quero will be able to have fun again, to the great pleasure of the team’s supporters.
