Nationals catcher, Ramos, kidnapped in Venezuela...

[NightCap424]

What is wrong with the world today........I just don't get it anymore. Maybe now my friends and family will see why I refuse to travel outside the US right now....I feel like there are stories like this every day to normal, everyday citizens.


Washington Nationals' Wilson Ramos kidnapped outside home in Venezuela - ESPN

[bigsportsguy2006]

just heard this shit from a tweet by hunter pence ... crazy!!

[guzzi]

aint steppin out...f dat...

[MCP313]

Originally Posted by NightCap424

What is wrong with the world today........I just don't get it anymore. Maybe now my friends and family will see why I refuse to travel outside the US right now....I feel like there are stories like this every day to normal, everyday citizens.


Washington Nationals' Wilson Ramos kidnapped outside home in Venezuela - ESPN

This is quite normal in Latin America if you have money. Regular people like me and you have nothing to worry about

[MCP313]

Sorry I should just speak for myself. If you're rich and its known then yes by all means its dangerous for you in Latin America and you shouldn't go there.

[revnecro1273]

Originally Posted by NightCap424

What is wrong with the world today........I just don't get it anymore. Maybe now my friends and family will see why I refuse to travel outside the US right now....I feel like there are stories like this every day to normal, everyday citizens.


Washington Nationals' Wilson Ramos kidnapped outside home in Venezuela - ESPN

dude...it is venezuela...he is venezuelean and a mlb player...quite a common thing over there...usually a family member...don't think you have much to worry about...traveling abroad is safer than going to gary, indiana which is in your state, no?

[revnecro1273]

guess nobody remembers ugueth urbina...mcp probably does though

[Cash Calloway]

Not a place i would want to visit. Come up to Canada plenty of Maple Syrup and fat chicks.

THREATS TO SAFETY AND SECURITY: Violent crime in Venezuela is pervasive, both in the capital, Caracas, and in the interior. The country’s overall per capita murder rate is cited as one of the top five in the world. The Venezuelan National Counter Kidnapping Commission was created in 2006, and since then, official statistics have shown alarming increases in reported kidnappings throughout the country. In fact, kidnappings in 2009 increased anywhere from 40-60 percent from the previous year. Surveys show that the overwhelming majority of kidnappings and other major crimes are not reported to the police. Armed robberies take place throughout the city, including areas generally presumed safe and frequented by tourists. Well-armed criminal gangs operate widely, often setting up fake police checkpoints. Only a very small percentage of crimes result in trials and convictions.

Travel to and from Maiquetía Airport, the international airport serving Caracas, can be dangerous, and corruption at the airport itself is rampant. Both arriving and departing travelers, including foreigners, have been victims of personal property theft and muggings in the airport. The embassy has received multiple, credible reports that individuals wearing what appear to be official uniforms or other credentials are involved in facilitating or perpetrating these crimes. For this reason, U.S. citizen travelers should be wary of all strangers, even those in official uniform or carrying official identification, and should not pack valuable items or documents in checked luggage. Valuable documents and personal items should be kept in carry-on luggage. The embassy has also received multiple, credible reports of victims of “express kidnappings” occurring at the airport, in which individuals are taken to make purchases or to withdraw as much money as possible from ATMs, often at gunpoint. Furthermore, there are known drug trafficking groups working from the airport. Travelers should not accept packages from anyone and should keep their luggage with them at all times.

[grzftbl]

Found alive. Seen on twitter.

[Ricky Tan]

Wilson Ramos rescued after kidnapping


]
Associated Press

CARACAS, Venezuela -- Venezuelan police rescued Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos on Friday, two days after he was kidnapped, officials announced.


Ramos
Justice Minister Tareck El Aissami said on state television that Ramos was "safe and sound" and that he was rescued by police. He said the circumstances weren't immediately clear.
Information Minister Andres Izarra initially reported the rescue via Twitter, saying Ramos was "found alive by security forces in mountainous zone."
Izarra said it was "a rescue operation by air," which was authorized earlier in the day by President Hugo Chavez. "Ramos free!" said one message on Izarra's account.
Ramos' mother celebrated, exclaiming on television: "Thanks to God!"
"Thanks to my country, to my neighbors and to my family, who were supporting us," she said.
Armed men seized Ramos at gunpoint Wednesday night outside his home in a working-class neighborhood in the city of Valencia. Authorities said Thursday that they had found a stolen SUV used by the kidnappers abandoned in a nearby town.
The abduction was the first known kidnapping of a major league baseball player in a country that has dozens of players on big league rosters in the U.S., and it brought a renewed focus on worsening violent crime in Venezuela.
Security has increasingly become a concern for Venezuelan players and their families as a wave of kidnappings has hit the wealthy as well as the middle class. Relatives of several Venezuelan major leaguers have previously been kidnapped for ransom, and in two cases have been killed.
Bodyguards typically shadow major leaguers when they return to their homeland to play in Venezuela's winter baseball league, but it was unclear what precautions, if any, Ramos was taking while at his family's home.
Major League Baseball officials said it was the first kidnapping of a major leaguer that they could recall.
Polls consistently say rampant crime is the top worry of Venezuelans. The country has one of the highest murder rates in Latin America, and the vast majority of crimes go unsolved. The number of kidnappings has soared in recent years.
Fans in both Venezuela and Washington had held candlelight vigils and prayed for his safe release.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

[PHILLYBIRDS20]

uggy

[Big Pimpin]

kill whitey