After a 2-0 loss to Venezuela in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, Bolivia’s national football team faced a new setback off the field. Venezuelan authorities prevented the team’s charter flight from leaving Maturín airport, offering no clear explanation for the delay.
According to Bolivian officials, all travel documents and permits were in order. However, after hours of waiting without authorization, the team was forced to return to its hotel in the middle of the night.
Bolivian technical director Óscar Villegas expressed shock at the situation. He said that before the match, a Bolivian government minister had already coordinated with the Venezuelan government under President Nicolás Maduro to ensure smooth departure procedures.
Harold Howard, who oversees security and logistics for the Bolivian squad, described the delay as an act of “sabotage” by the Maduro regime. He said officials cited “air traffic” as the reason, though only two planes had landed at the time, raising doubts about the credibility of the explanation.
The incident has triggered strong reactions in Bolivia. Leaders in both the sports and political sectors have condemned the treatment of the team and urged national authorities to demand answers from Venezuela.
The disruption also interfered with Bolivia’s preparation schedule. The team was supposed to fly to La Paz at 5:00 a.m. local time and hold a training session later that day in advance of Tuesday’s match against Chile in El Alto.
This episode is the latest in a string of complaints from foreign delegations about poor treatment and logistical issues under Maduro’s administration. Critics say these recurring problems reflect a broader lack of transparency and reliability in Venezuela’s handling of visiting teams.
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