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The murder of a coach, the assault on the owner of a baseball academy, videos with threats from armed men and a dozen extortions of businessmen and baseball-related personalities cloud the process of signature of Venezuelan prospects hired by the older teams in the United States. States. Crime bosses who control prisons and mega-gangs have broken into the business and move with the versatility of a serviceman on the diamond.
Rebel Alliance Investigates (ARI) et CONNECTAS
January 15 is a special date in the world of baseball. This is the day when the international prospect recruitment for the major leagues in the United States begins. This year, 13 Venezuelan teenagers secured millionaire deals as soon as the process began, and within days there were 16 young people. It’s a day that hundreds of talented 16-year-olds and their families look forward to as they see the balloon as the passport that will lift them out of poverty and lead them directly to living the American dream.
The day also raises high expectations among the owners of the 195 registered baseball academies in Venezuela. These particular organizations are dedicated to nurturing the kids they see as talent and are responsible for managing signings with all 30 MLB teams. In exchange, they keep 40% or 50% of the bonus dollars that players receive, which in some cases fluctuate between 1 million and 4 million dollars.
But they are not the only ones interested in this roundabout. The pranes, criminal leaders of prisons in Venezuela, wait anxiously and do not lose sight of the signing process. These criminals, who have a deep passion for baseball, considered the national sport, have jumped from the stands onto the playing field by force to obtain a percentage of the thousands or millions of dollars paid by American teams.
This survey of CONNECT and the The rebel alliance investigates (ARI) identified at least three forms of extortion used by the prans to keep some of the money received by the academies. Bet on a new vein to fuel your finances.
For this report, more than 25 academies were visited in 5 states of Venezuela –Lara, Miranda, Anzoátegui, Carabobo and Aragua– and cases were learned that show how the action of criminal groups takes place through the dissemination of videos with threats , telephone harassment and grenade attacks, up to the murder of a coach.
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Police officials, coaches, reporters, academy owners, scouts, former baseball players and employees of some baseball clubs have agreed that prane penetration in baseball is a known “secret.” of all in the media, but that no one talks about. being attacked by criminals.
Respondents assured that almost all academies in Venezuela pay for a monthly vaccine to be able to operate and ensure the safety of their facilities and staff. Others have to give prans 3% to 10% of the amount they receive each time they sign a player.
The pranes, moreover, offer something akin to a “service” for collecting debts incurred in the context of this sporting activity.
The possibility that some academies actually belong to the prans has been raised by pundits and people connected to the world of Venezuelan baseball. Although it has been impossible to confirm this version, it is not unreasonable that these organized crime organizations seek to take advantage of the most lucrative professional activity for Venezuelans abroad.
The number of Creole prospects receiving millionaire bonuses has quadrupled in just six years. From 3 players signed for more than 1 million dollars in 2015, it increased to 16 in 2022 (in 2020 there were no signings due to the pandemic). 2021 has been the year with the most 7-figure signatures, with 14 cases, so far. In addition, some 350 young people seal contracts each year ranging from $10,000 to $900,000.
Although there are other actors in the criminal realm, the mega-gang Tren de Aragua – the most powerful non-state armed group in Venezuela –, which operates from Tocorón prison, is the one that dominates this new criminal economy. . To use a baseball expression, they would be: the team’s fourth batter and the godmother’s boyfriend.
read the special PRANE IN THE BIG LEAGUE Click on here
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