America’s left-stream media long ignored the human rights abuses of the communist dictator Castro’s Cuba. Astonishingly, for many in the media it was see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil about Cuba. But now Venezuelan major league baseball players are helping to enlighten the media about a socialist dictator’s crackdown in their home country.
The Chicago Tribune, USAToday, The Huffington Post, Associated Press, Deadspin and others are giving platforms to major league baseball players from Venezuela who are bravely speaking out against the repression of President Nicolas Maduro's armed para-military crackdown on anti-government protests. Dozens of people have been killed protesting (some violently, some peacefully) the president and many of the staggering problems that come with socialism: crime, economic woes, food and medical shortages and more.
ESPN’s Spanish-speaking website, ESPN Desportes features a video of several current and former Venezuelan stars expressing their concerns.
The Chicago Times quoted Atlanta Braves’ outfielder Ender Inciarte saying, "They're killing us and taking away our future."
Former Cleveland Indians’ all-star shortstop Omar Vizquel, in an interview with Caracas’ Exitos FM radio station said: "I feel very sad for everything that's happening in my country today. We don't want to see the sort of violence that's taking place in our streets."
Ted Berg, of USAToday, reported Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli “has been especially vocal, taking to social media with messages for Venezuela and the world. In one instagram post, showing a protester in a Guy Fawkes mask holding a sign that translates to, ‘Do we call it a dictatorship or not yet?’ Cervelli calls upon the United Nations Human Rights Office and Pope Francis to visit his home country.”
Detroit Tiger slugger Miguel Cabrera said, “It’s a hard time right now. They’re fighting for food. They’re fighting for a better life. They’re fighting for everything, for medicine. Somebody’s got to step up… because people are dying in Venezuela.”
Deadspin chimed in:
As the Venezuelan economic crisis has boiled over into violent and sometimes deadly protests of President Nicolás Maduro—who has failed to address the desperate food and medicine shortages and who is accused of altering the government and the Constitution to shut down political opposition—many players have begun speaking out.
The Huffington Post mentioned that 13 “Major League Baseball players added their voices to the chorus of Venezuelans abroad denouncing repression in their country.”
None of these atrocities should be a surprise to the media here in the States. Maduro succeeded the previous all-powerful, all-controlling communist dictator Hugo Chávez, whom he loyally supported as the country’s vice-president and minister of foreign affairs. He is a member of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela and rules the nation by decree.
