Many times kidnappings don’t have a happy ending like this one. But, I’m sure since this one involved a major league ballplayer, it was an opportunity for Chavez to get some gook PR.
The Sporting News
Venezuelan police rescued Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos on Friday, two days after he was kidnapped, officials announced.
Justice Minister Tareck El Aissami said on state television that Ramos was "safe and sound" and that he was rescued by police and National Guard commandos. He said three men were arrested in the kidnapping.
Information Minister Andres Izarra initially reported the rescue via Twitter, saying Ramos was "found alive by security forces in mountainous zone," in the area of Montalban in central Carabobo state.
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.
El Aissami said one of those arrested in the abduction was a Colombian "linked to paramilitary groups and to kidnapping groups."
He gave few details of the rescue but said police were taking Ramos his hometown of Valencia, about 90 miles (150 kilometers) west of Caracas. He said Ramos would first undergo medical checks at the police station and then be reunited with his family.
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. Shortly afterward, she spoke with her son by phone and said jubilantly: "He's fine.
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