Even with success, Latinos often can't escape the violence

I was saddened to hear that the Detroit Tigers closer Ugueth Urbina's mom was kidnapped in Venezuela.

Here's an excerpt from the article:
CARACAS, Venezuela -- Tigers closer Ugueth Urbina returned home to Venezuela after four unidentified men disguised as police officers kidnapped his mother.
Police in Venezuela announced the incident Thursday, according to wire service reports. The Tigers issued a statement Thursday afternoon upon release of the news:
'Ugueth Urbina has left the club to return to his native Venezuela to attend to the kidnapping of his mother. The Detroit Tigers organization is working with Major League Baseball and its contacts in Venezuela to assist Ugueth.'
According to Reuters, the four-man gang forced its way on Wednesday into Urbina's offseason home. They stole the equivalent of $520 and took his mother, Maura Villareal, and a man from the house, said Joel Rengifo, chief of the national Investigative Police anti-kidnapping unit.

Unfortunately, incidents like this are common in Latin American countries. I recall Thalia's mom and sister being kidnapped about a year ago. Latinos work hard to become successful in film, music,& sports. However, along with success comes the danger of family members being targeted by criminals hoping to score a huge ransom.

Another excerpt from the article:
The crime is not rare in Venezuela, especially in its capital. It's the second time Urbina or his family has come into danger in Venezuela.
The 30-year-old reliever was arrested in January for allegedly firing gunshots into the air out of the passenger window of an SUV in an upscale Caracas neighborhood. After an investigation, however, a judge ruled that he fired the gun in self-defense when a man on a motorcycle tried to rob him. The charges were subsequently dismissed.
Two years ago, then-Astros outfielder Richard Hidalgo was shot in the forearm during a carjacking. Five years ago, Tigers second baseman Omar Infante's older brother, then a minor league prospect, was shot and killed in their native land. The younger Infante and his family later ended up leaving their neighborhood after receiving several death threats.
Also two years ago, armed thieves robbed players, trainers and staff at a baseball camp run by the Seattle Mariners in Carabobo state. The Mariners use the camp for developing players from Venezuela, Colombia, Panama and Costa Rica.