Miami, March 17, (dpa/GNA) – Venezuela declared a national holiday on Wednesday, after beating the United States 3-2 in a politically-charged World Baseball Classic final in Miami.
The South Americans clinched their first title and acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, declared a national holiday where only employees in essential sectors have to work.
“Long live Venezuela,” she said in a statement. “This victory is proof of the passion, the talent and the unity that sets us Venezuelans apart. An achievement that will live on forever in the heart of our nation.”
Rodríguez, who previously served as vice president, took over after the US overthrew former leader Nicolás Maduro, at the start of the year.
Both he and his wife are now in New York, where they are to go on trial for alleged involvement in the international drugs trade.
US President Donald Trump had stoked the game politically beforehand.
After Venezuela reached the final, he wrote on his online platform Truth Social that many good things had happened to Venezuela recently, even implying that the country could become the 51st US state.
He repeated this after the final with the word “STATEHOOD!!!”.
The World Baseball Classic brings together the world’s best national teams every three to four years. Venezuela had reached the final for the first time.
In the capital Caracas, thousands of people celebrated on the streets and sang the national anthem after Tuesday’s victory.
GNA