The Venezuelan national baseball team’s victory over the United States in the final of the sixth edition of the World Baseball Classic. Credit: @WBCBaseball
For many Venezuelans in the diaspora, the capture of Nicolas Maduro on January 3 in Caracas by U.S. special forces marked the beginning of a new era for Venezuela. Now, the new era continues and they celebrate Venezuela’s victory in baseball.
They attribute to that event not only the country’s opening and the release of political prisoners, but also the Venezuelan national baseball team’s victory over the United States in the final of the sixth edition of the World Baseball Classic. Whether true or not, the Caribbean nation is breathing an air of optimism now reinforced by the sport of baseball—known locally as pelota criolla or pelota caliente.
That diaspora felt that what their national team achieved became a unifying force. It did not matter where they were in the world: the more than eight million Venezuelans who were forced to leave their homeland—whether due to the economic, political, and social crisis, or because they were persecuted by the regime—experienced a renewed sense of unity. Once again, they felt sheltered under the same flag; they felt their blood boil for the sport that defines their nation. This was true abroad, because inside the country, such an explosion of joy had not been seen in decades.
A sporting triumph with political dimensions
Another reason is that the Venezuelan team’s feat revived the metaphor of David and Goliath. A team from a developing country with serious problems of all kinds defeated the leading power in that sport (and in many other respects), and did so on its own soil.
Beyond the purely sporting aspect, Venezuela’s victory over the United States carries other dimensions, including a political one, as it also sends a message to Donald Trump, who has expressed interest in annexing the South American country and has treated migrants from that nation in an insulting manner.
A combination of all these factors led Caracas to erupt, especially in public squares. “Fireworks explode against the clear Caracas sky,” reported the newspaper El Nacional about the celebrations.
“Fans shout, embrace, and even bathe in beer as they jump,” it added. “The screen shows Suarez kneeling, with the flag draped over his shoulders, thanking God, while in Caracas all that can be heard is applause. ‘Venezuela’ is the most frequently spoken word, with pride and joy, among those present.”
According to the same outlet, which captured the atmosphere in the packed Plaza La Juventud in Bellas Artes, Caracas, many fans began leaving the venue to retrieve their motorcycles.
“Wearing team jerseys, caps, and flags, they climb onto their vehicles and begin an improvised caravan. The joy is overwhelming. Amid horns, whistles, shouts, and applause, the streets are flooded with celebration, alongside a square where children, young people, adults, and the older people continue to celebrate,” it reported.
How much Venezuelans—both abroad and at home—needed a moment like this. They needed to come together around something unrelated to politics, something that highlighted the grit of their athletes—in other words, the worth of their people.
No speech or symbolic reference—especially the more simplistic ones—to the figure of Simon Bolivar, the national hero, generates such euphoria. Once again, sport proves to be the greatest unifier of societies.
Venezuela’s victory over the United States was narrow (3–2), but tremendously significant. Venezuelans had debuted in the World Baseball Classic in 2006—meaning 20 years of chasing the dream of becoming champions without success.
Since then, they had taken part in all six editions of the tournament. Their best result had come in 2009, when they finished third after being eliminated in the semifinals by South Korea. Now, they are champions—a victory that unites all Venezuelans.