US president Donald Trump again suggested Venezuela become a new American state, after the South American team defeated the United States and won the Baseball World Classic.
“State,” the president posted on Truth Social on Tuesday, after Venezuela beat the United States 3-2 in the final in Miami to win the country’s first World Baseball Classic title.
Trump’s reaction echoed a comment he made on Monday when celebrating Venezuela’s semi-final victory over Italy, in which he said: “Good things have been happening to Venezuela lately. I wonder what the secret is… 51st state?”
On March 5, the US State Department announced an agreement with Venezuela’s interim government to “restore diplomatic and consular relations,” two months after the capture of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro. On March 10, the State Department notified the New York court handling the case against Maduro that it had formally recognised Delcy Rodríguez as Venezuela’s head of state.
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Also on Tuesday, opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado celebrated Venezuela’s World Baseball Classic victory.
“We are world champions! How proud I am to be Venezuelan; thank you, guys!” she posted on X with Venezuelan flag emojis and others evoking arepas, a typical Venezuelan dish. Machado’s party Vente Venezuela also celebrated: “We have reached the pinnacle of baseball; with mystique, discipline and excellence. This victory is proof that Venezuelans are unstoppable.” Fellow opposition leader Andrés Velásquez declared on X that “Venezuela will be free.”
GANAMOS!!!!
SOMOS CAMPEONES DEL MUNDO!QUÉ ORGULLO SER VENEZOLANA; GRACIAS, MUCHACHOS!!!
🇻🇪🇻🇪🇻🇪
🫓🫓🫓— María Corina Machado (@MariaCorinaYA) March 18, 2026
