Venezuela stunned the United States 3-2 to win the World Baseball Classic for the first time, sparking an outpouring of national pride after a tense final dripping with political symbolism.
Eugenio Suarez drove in the winning run in the top of the ninth inning to seal the historic victory in Miami over a star-studded American lineup hyped as a “dream team.”
Jubilant Venezuelans poured into the streets of Caracas to celebrate their heroes following years of economic hardship and weeks after the dramatic US capture of authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro in a military raid.
“In Venezuela we don’t want feuds,” baseball fan Gerardo Oliviera said as cars and motorbikes roared through the streets of the capital, proudly displaying the country’s flag.“We’ve shown them on the field that we are more than just a sovereign people with character.”
Trailing for most of the game, the US looked to have hauled themselves back into the contest when Bryce Harper blasted a game-tying two-run homer in the eighth inning. But Venezuela regained the lead in the ninth inning, punishing a shaky performance from US reliever Garrett Whitlock to clinch victory.
“What can I say, it’s amazing,” Venezuela hero Suarez said. “Nobody believed in Venezuela, but now we win the championship. This is a celebration for all Venezuelans.”
Suarez’s winning double settled a final that had got underway in a raucous atmosphere, with a large contingent of Venezuela fans in a sold-out crowd of 36,190 booing the US lineup during pre-game introductions.
US President Donald Trump , whose government captured Maduro in a January 3 raid and flew him to New York for trial on drug trafficking charges, had stoked tensions with a social media post on Monday. He congratulated Venezuela for reaching the final while simultaneously suggesting the country could become the USA’s “51st state.”
Trump again returned to the theme moments after the defeat, declaring in a post on his Truth Social platform: “Statehood!!! President DJT.”
Venezuela’s interim leader Delcy Rodriguez – who replaced Maduro – meanwhile declared a “national day of jubilation.” “This triumph is the victory of the passion, talent and unity that define us as Venezuelans,” Rodriguez wrote on X.
In Miami, where Venezuelans celebrated into the night, fan Iraima Camacho said: “That’s a joy that moves every Venezuelan and every Latin American. It shows, folks, that this is Venezuela.”
Venezuela’s players had been instructed by team management to avoid commenting on politics throughout the tournament.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
