Amid turmoil back home, Team Venezuela savors WBC moment

"If you know someone in Venezuela, call them. Tell them that Venezuela is in the Olympics and in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic. In front of a favorable sold-out crowd, in the U.S. city with the highest concentration of native Venezuelans, López's players had knocked off defending champion Samurai Japan and accomplished two firsts for the nation's baseball team."

"Baseball is beautiful. Baseball is a sport that unites. I feel like this has brought happiness to our country, which it desperately needs and deserves. To have a united public, watching us every day in this World Baseball Classic, yelling and supporting us in these games -- it's really special."

"Venezuela has been in political turmoil ever since the United States launched a military strike to capture its president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores, on Jan. 3. While some are hopeful for Venezuela's future, it has also divided the nation on what should come next. And it has further prevented Venezuelans in the United States from traveling back home to see their families."

Venezuela's baseball team achieved historic firsts by defeating defending champion Japan and advancing to the World Baseball Classic semifinals, where they will face Italy. Manager Omar López emphasized the significance by placing a cap with Venezuela's international calling code on the dais, urging people to share the news with those in Venezuela. The victory occurred in Miami, home to the largest concentration of Venezuelan immigrants in the U.S., before a sold-out crowd. Infielder Eugenio Suárez highlighted how baseball unites the nation during a period of political instability following a U.S. military operation targeting Venezuelan leadership. For Venezuelan expatriates unable to return home due to political circumstances, the team's success provides emotional connection and national pride during a divided time.

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