MIAMI — Try as they might to avoid politics, the Venezuelan team’s run to the World Baseball Classic championship game is fundamentally intertwined with a country in transition as a result of recent U.S. military activity.
Venezuela will face the U.S. in Tuesday’s WBC title game after defeating tournament feel-good story Italy in the semifinals. The victory follows the January moves in which the Trump Administration captured Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, brought him to the U.S. to stand trial for a series of narco-terrorism and drug trafficking charges, and seized oil tankers.
“Wow! Venezuela defeated Italy tonight, 4–2, in the WBC (Baseball!) semifinal. They are looking really great,” U.S. President Donald Trump posted on social media late Monday, just minutes after Venezuela’s win over Italy. “Good things are happening to Venezuela lately! I wonder what this magic is all about? STATEHOOD, #51, ANYONE?”
While Trump has frequently expressed his wish for Canada to become the 51st state, and has also eyed trying to annex Greenland, the WBC has now become the backdrop for the president to convey this sentiment about Venezuela.
A Different Sentiment
The Venezuelan players and coaches, meanwhile, have firmly resisted addressing the political situation in any direct way as the WBC has unfolded. Rather, the team’s focus has been squarely on baseball, their pursuit of a first-ever WBC title, and providing an outlet for fans—both back in Venezuela and in the Miami area, where a large segment of about 250,000 Venezuelans in the U.S live.
“This is a dream come true for me,” Venezuela manager Omar López said. “What could I do to give some joy to my country? In Venezuela, we have over 30 million people that are willing to see Venezuela winning, and I’ll find a way to do that together with my people.”
Facing the U.S. team for the WBC title, however, still brings the broader themes into sharper focus. The American roster will also combine to earn $311 million playing in MLB this year compared to $187 million for Venezuela.
The title matchup additionally gives Venezuela a chance to avenge a loss to the U.S. in the 2023 WBC quarterfinals.
“Baseball gives you these kinds of opportunities,” said Venezuela outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. “Life is so ironic. I’m very happy to play the United States again. They are all superstars, but we have a great team as well. We are going to play our game.”
Acuña, meanwhile, is echoing many other star players in the WBC, including U.S. team captain Aaron Judge, that playing for one’s country has stirred heightened emotions.
“I would put this as No. 1 in my career,” said Acuña, a star with the Braves and a former NL Most Valuable Player, after topping Italy. “I love the Atlanta Braves, but before playing for the Braves, I was born in Venezuela. … I am very happy representing my country.”
