MIAMI — In a powerful display of national unity, Venezuelan baseball fans transformed Miami’s loanDepot park into a sea of yellow, blue, and red during Friday’s World Baseball Classic matchup against the Netherlands. The game provided a temporary respite from political divisions as thousands of Venezuelan expatriates and supporters gathered to cheer for ‘La Vinotinto’ on American soil.
The atmosphere was electric from the early morning hours, with fans arriving more than 90 minutes before the first pitch. Outside the stadium, vendors sold national team merchandise from duffle bags while Latin music from artists like Elsen Pro, Bacilos and Carlos Vives filled the air. Inside the ballpark, the lower deck buzzed with excitement, particularly on the third-base side near Venezuela’s dugout.
The gathering occurred just two months after U.S. forces conducted a military operation in Venezuela aiming to capture deposed leader Nicolás Maduro on drug trafficking charges. Yet political tensions seemed momentarily forgotten as fans focused exclusively on baseball. ‘For our people, baseball is joy,’ said Jessalyn Suarez, an office manager from Miami wearing her team’s jersey with the national flag around her neck. ‘Today is joy. Today is not about anything else.’
Retired heavy machine operator Jesus Otero from Hialeah echoed the sentiment: ‘Nobody is thinking about him today. He’s not here.’ The overwhelming Venezuelan presence made Netherlands supporters a distinct minority in the crowd.
Nelson Zurita, a Venezuelan who traveled from Chile for the tournament, explained: ‘The presence of this team provides some relief from the everyday political stress. The emphasis instead is on the Classic. Baseball breathes new life.’ Security presence appeared standard for a major sporting event, with no signs of political protests disrupting the baseball celebration.