Venezuela upset the star-studded hosts in a political showdown in Miami.
Published March 18, 2026
On Tuesday, Venezuela won the World Baseball Classic for the first time with a stunning 3-2 come-from-behind victory over the host United States in a tense final game played against a backdrop of political tensions.
Eugenio Suarez hit the winning run in the top of the 9th inning, clinching Venezuela’s victory over the American batting lineup that was touted as baseball’s “dream team.”
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Team USA, which trailed for most of the game, appeared to be back in contention when Bryce Harper hit a game-tying two-run homer in the eighth inning.
But Harper’s salvo was in vain, and Venezuela regained the lead in the ninth inning, punishing the erratic performance of U.S. relief pitcher Garrett Whitlock to seal the victory.
“What can I say, it’s amazing,” said Venezuelan hero Suarez. “No one believed in Venezuela, but today we won the championship. This is a celebration of the entire Venezuelan nation.”
A crowd of 36,190 Venezuelan fans from a sold-out crowd of 36,190 at Miami’s Lawn Depot Park booed the U.S. lineup during pregame introductions, and Suarez’s game-winning double ended the game in a raucous atmosphere.
U.S. President Donald Trump, whose government captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a military raid in January, stoked tensions on Monday by congratulating Venezuela on reaching the finals in a social media post while also suggesting the country could become America’s “51st state.”
President Trump returned to the theme shortly after Tuesday’s loss, declaring “STATEHOOD!!! President DJT” in a post on his Truth Social platform.
Delcy Rodriguez, who replaced ousted President Maduro as Venezuela’s interim leader, declared Wednesday a “day of national joy.”
“This victory is a victory for the passion, talent and unity that define us as Venezuelans,” Rodriguez wrote in X.
“A legacy that will forever remain in the heart of our country. Long live Venezuela!”
Venezuela dominates
Venezuela’s players were instructed by team management to avoid commenting on politics during the tournament, but starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez dominated the vaunted USA team’s batting lineup for a long period of time, suppressing the American batting lineup led by New York Yankees home run king Aaron Judge.
The South American team took the lead in the top of the third inning as American starting pitcher Nolan McLean struggled with command on the mound.
After Salvador Perez reached base with a single, Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. walked to tie the game.
MacLean’s wild pitch put Venezuela with runners on second and third base, and on the next pitch Perez scored on a sacrifice fly from Kansas City Royals slugger Michael Garcia.
Venezuela extended its lead to two runs in the top of the fifth inning as America’s bats continued to hammer Rodriguez.
McLean delivered a four-seam fastball to the center of the strike zone, and Boston Red Sox left fielder Wyler Abreu duly pounced on it, hitting a 414-foot solo home run to center field for a 2-0 lead.
Venezuela appeared to be close to victory, but was upset in the eighth inning when Harper hit a 432-foot (132-meter) home run to center field off reliever Andres Machado.
However, America’s comeback didn’t last long, and in the 9th inning Luis Arraez drew a walk from Whitlock to give Venezuela the lead again, before Suarez gave Venezuela the lead with a well-timed hit to left-center field.
Closer Daniel Palencia removed Kyle Schwarber, Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony in quick succession to seal the victory for Venezuela.
