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President Donald Trump weighed in after Venezuela topped Italy in their World Baseball Classic semifinal on Monday.
Venezuela was down one run in the seventh inning when they rallied to put three runs on the board and close out the game with a 4-2 victory. Venezuela will now face Team USA in the World Baseball Classic final on Tuesday night.
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Team Venezuela celebrates after defeating Italy in a World Baseball Classic semifinal, Monday, March 16, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Trump teased statehood for Venezuela after the victory.
“Wow! Venezuela defeated Italy tonight, 4-2, in the WBC (Baseball!) semi-finals. They look really good. Good things are happening for Venezuela lately! I wonder what this magic is all about? STATEHOOD, #51, ANYONE?” he wrote in a post on Truth Social.
The new year started with the United States conducting a military operation in Venezuela, which led to the capture of Nicolas Maduro and his wife. The two were brought back to the United States on federal weapons and drug terrorism charges, among other crimes.
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President Donald Trump speaks during a board meeting in the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts in the East Room of the White House, Monday, March 16, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Since then, relations between the United States and Venezuela have thawed. An American flag was recently raised over the US Embassy building in Caracas for the first time in seven years.
Meanwhile, the World Baseball Classic final will feature the United States and Venezuela. The Americans are in the final for the third time, having won the championship once before. Venezuela is in the final for the first time ever.
Venezuela pitcher Daniel Palencia reacts after the team defeated Italy during a World Baseball Classic semifinal, Monday, March 16, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
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The USA narrowly defeated the Dominican Republic in their semifinal, which ended with a controversial strike three call.
