Caribbean Series: Charros de Jalisco Prepared to Host If Asked; Panama’s ProBeis League Facing Difficulties

As the Confederacion de Beisbol Profesional del Caribe scrambles to figure out where to move the 2026 Caribbean Series if they do, in fact, move the event out of Venezuela, one organization has stood up and raised their hand to take on the event if asked.

Speaking at a press conference at Estadio Panamericano in Zapopan, Charros de Jalisco general manager Luis Alberto Gonzalez said the Charros are prepared to step up and host the Caribbean Series should the CBPC decided to move it to their ballpark.

“We’re very good at hosting events, and we love the Caribbean Series. Guadalajara loves the Caribbean Series,” Gonzalez said. “I’m sure this city has all the elements to host the Caribbean Series again after 2018. And we, as the Charros, are open to that possibility, as we have already stated.”

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The news comes just days after the Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacifico, Puerto Rico’s LBPRC, and the Dominican Republic’s LIDOM all told the CBPC that they would not participate in the 2026 Caribbean Series were it to be held in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas amid the rising military tension between Venezuela and the United States.

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Should the Caribbean Series move out of Venezuela, a new host would have less than 50 days to organize the event, though the event has been moved with short notice previously, most notably in 2019 when it was moved out of Barquisimeto, Venezuela to Panama City, Panama, in late January. Nonetheless, Gonzalez said the Charros are ready to host if need be.

“We also recognize that the circumstances are very complicated, especially due to the lack of time to organize it,” he said. “But even so, there are very talented people at Charros de Jalisco, like those present here today, and we are confident that if the Caribbean Confederation and the Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacifico decide that Guadalajara is the appropriate host city, we will be ready to take on the challenge.”

Guadalajara previously hosted the Caribbean Series in 2018. That series was also moved out of Barquisimeto, Venezuela, by the CBPC, though the change was made more than a year in advance, and Barquisimeto was awarded the 2019 Caribbean Series.

Panama’s ProBeis Season, Participation In Serie de Las Americas, Caribbean Series In Peril – Panama’s ProBeis league is in danger of having the season cancelled should financial assistance from the country’s Institute of Sports not materialize soon.

ProBeis president David Salayandia told Panama America that the league’s season “hangs by a thread” and that without a ProBeis season, it will be difficult, if not impossible, for Panama to field a team for both the Serie de Las Americas, which Panama will host from Jan. 24-30, 2026, as well as for the 2026 Caribbean Series in February.

“What team will we field if I don’t have a league?” Salayandía asked rhetorically in Panama America’s article. “This is the part that the Pandeportes directors don’t seem to understand; without this contribution, we wouldn’t be able to participate in the Caribbean Series or the Americas Series.”

Salayandía explained that it costs approximately $400,000 to operate the league, with teams, sponsors, and Pandeportes all making financial contributions to support the league. He told Panama America that the league submitted a budget in May and haven’t received a response.

He said that if the league plays a season, it will be a short season played in January, and that if the league doesn’t play, the outlook for professional baseball in Panama is dire.

“In my opinion, if we don’t go to the Caribbean Series, the Americas Series, and the League doesn’t happen , that will bury Probeis. I hope it doesn’t happen,” Salayandia told Panama America. Panama had previously confirmed it would send a team to the 2026 Caribbean Series and host the 2026 Serie de las Americas.

Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes had cited Panama as a possible host for the 2026 Caribbean Series, though Panama City’s biggest ballpark, Estadio Rod Carew, is closed for emergency repairs for at least six months, but Salayandia told the Panamanian media outlet that the Central American country is not in the running to host the 2026 Caribbean Series should it be moved out of Venezuela.

Photo: Estadio Panamericano in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico, could potentially host a relocated 2026 Caribbean Series. (Photo courtesy of the WBSC Americas)