Cubs catcher Willson Contreras raising money, awareness in fight for native Venezuela
As the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela continues, a new activist has emerged out of Major League Baseball.
Cubs catcher Willson Contreras has become an outspoken critic of his home country’s dictator Nicolas Maduro, and he’s made powerful allies for saving his family and standing up for his people.
‘‘We have a dictatorship going on in Venezuela; we hope it’s over soon,’’ Contreras said, via the Chicago Sun-Times. ‘‘I’m just tired of seeing a lot of kids dying because they don’t have nothing to eat. Venezuela’s tired of seeing a lot of old men dying because they don’t have medicine or because people cannot [afford] food.’’
Venezuela’s economy has been in a freefall since Madura was elected president in 2013 following the death of dictator Hugo Chavez. More than three million citizens have fled the country as an inflation rate of 1,300,000 percent in the last year plunged nearly the entire country into poverty.
Things were further complicated in January when Juan Guaido, the leader of the legisture, declared himself acting president. Because the legislature believes that Maduro’s election was not fair, they argue that he is a “usurper,” so the next in line for the presidency would be Guaido.
The United States recognizes Guaido as Venezuela's president, but the turmoil is far from over. All the conflict has made it so that many citizens choose not to return to the country.
‘‘Not for this year,’’ Contreras said. ‘‘I would love to go, but it’s going to be risky, especially because I’ve been posting things against the regime and I don’t want them to go after me or [those close]. You know how a dictatorship works.’’
Major league players have been outspoken
Baseball is extremely popular in Venezuela, and the country sends more player to the majors than any country besides the U.S. and Dominican Republic with nearly 100 active players.
Many of those players have used their platform to speak about the nation’s issues, despite it making them even bigger targets. Two years ago, Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli helped organize a group of players to speak out that included All-Stars Alcides Escobar, Ender Inciarte, Eugenio Suarez, Salvador Perez and Felipe Rivero.
Other stars like Detroit Tigers two-time MVP Miguel Cabrera have been vocal, saying “Somebody’s got to step up… because people are dying in Venezuela.”
‘‘When I’m here [at the ballpark], I’m not thinking of anything,’’ Contreras said said. ‘‘I’m just focused on what I need to do, where do I need to get better, how do I need to get better, how I can help our team win.
‘‘But once I step out of the ballpark, everything comes to my mind right away.’’
Finding safety for his family
Contreras’ brother William is a prospect in the Atlanta Braves system, but not all of his family has been safe until recently. Just this week, Contreras’ parents made it to the United States with some help from powerful friends.
The 26-year-old Contreras has gotten to know aids in Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin’s office as well as Republican operative John Pence, the nephew of vice president Mike Pence. Pence, a Cubs fan from nearby Indiana, in particular helped bring his parents to safety, which has been a big relief considering how outspoken Contreras has been.
In addition to his speech, Contreras has raised money to support humanitarian efforts in Venezuela by pushing for teammates to wear "Freedom For Venezuela" T-shirts around the clubhouse.
‘‘It means a lot, especially having Mom and Dad in town,’’ he said. ‘‘That takes a lot of weight off my shoulders, a lot of pressure off myself, and lets me be a little more free and happy.’’
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