Wilson Ramos is catcher for the Washington Nationals. Ramos, 24, was born in Valencia, Venezuela on August 10, 1987. On Wednesday, November 9, Ramos was abducted by four men near his home and was taken off in an SUV. Thankfully, he was only held for 2 days and was freed on November 11.
According to Travel.State.Gov – A Service of the Bureau of Consular Affairs “kidnappings in 2009 increased anywhere from 40-60 percent from the previous year”. Kidnappers are not just targeting high profile victims but are also performing “express kidnappings” at airports. The site states individuals are kidnapped at gunpoint and forced to withdraw as much money as possible from ATM’s before being released.
Luckily, Ramos is safe with his family at this time. Often times kidnapping in this country does not end as fortunate as did in this case.