Venezuela is in a festive mood following its historic win at the World Baseball Classic (WBC), where the national team triumphed over the United States with a nail-biting score of 3-2. This victory comes in the wake of political chaos involving the ousting of former president Nicolás Maduro earlier this year due to U.S. intervention. The acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, declared the day after the victory, March 18, a national holiday, closing schools and businesses—except for essential services—to celebrate the momentous occasion.

The victory sparked nationwide jubilation, with citizens celebrating in the streets, setting off fireworks, and expressing gratitude through prayers. Rodríguez highlighted the win as a testament to the passion, talent, and unity of the Venezuelan people. Even in a politically divided environment, key political figures unified in their celebration, with former Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado expressing her pride in being Venezuelan and framing the win as evidence of the resilience and spirit of their nation.

The event even drew reactions from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who commented on social media, suggesting that Venezuela’s success made a case for it to be considered as the 51st state of the U.S. This statement underscores the international implications of Venezuela's sports achievement, highlighting its significance beyond just sports but also in political and cultural narratives.