Venezuelan Soccer Player’s Visa Revocation Sparks Controversy

A non-governmental organization, Veppex, has alleged that Venezuelans have faced political persecution. In light of this, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has revoked the U.S. visa for Mattias Lacava, who is the son of Venezuelan governor Rafael Lacava.

Mattias Lacava is a soccer player who has represented Venezuela’s national team and currently plays for Ulsan HD FC in South Korea. The team is set to compete against South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns FC at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, scheduled to take place in various U.S. cities from June 14 to July 13.

Rafael Lacava, Mattias’s father and the governor of Carabobo, was designated as a Specially Designated National (SDN) by the U.S. Treasury in 2019 due to his links to corruption and obstruction of humanitarian aid in Venezuela. Previous reports have indicated that he concealed funds in Switzerland and Andorra.

Veppex President José Antonio Colina has stated that Mattias Lacava should be denied entry into the U.S. for future soccer tournaments, emphasizing his connections to high-ranking Maduro administration officials. This, Colina argues, undermines U.S. support for human rights and might disrespect the Venezuelan exile community.

Colina further mentioned that allowing family members of Maduro’s officials into the U.S. contradicts American values and policies. The presence of individuals like Lacava at international sports events could be seen as a slap in the face to those who have suffered under the regime.

Mattias Lacava’s inclusion in the national team has triggered anger among many Venezuelans, particularly given the ongoing detention of political activists such as Prime Minister Carlos, who has been imprisoned amidst a broader crackdown on dissent following a questionable presidential election that renewed Maduro’s term.

In early January, a Venezuelan immigration lawyer and U.S. Army veteran named John de Lavega urged Rubio to investigate Lacava’s potential entry into the U.S. for an upcoming match. Following his request, he apparently received threats linked to the Maduro government. Ultimately, Lacava didn’t make the trip to the U.S. in January, citing personal and administrative reasons.

Recently, President Trump issued a declaration imposing travel restrictions on various countries, including Venezuela. Though this declaration includes provisions for athletes, it has raised concerns about the consistency of U.S. policy regarding the Maduro regime.

Corina, in a letter to Rubio, stressed the importance of swift action, stating that leadership in the defense of democracy and human rights provides hope for Venezuelan exiles.