Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos was found safe on Friday night after authorities launched a rescue operation in a mountainous area near his Venezuelan home, according to reports. Ramos was kidnapped from his home on Wednesday at gunpoint as he gathered with family. Following his kidnapping, no ransom demands were made, though authorities had said Ramos was alive on Thursday.

Ramos wasn't just found, though: he was rescued by Venezuelan authorities.

Information Minister Andres Izarra initially reported the rescue via Twitter, saying Ramos was "found alive by security forces in mountainous zone," in the area of Montalban in central Carabobo state.

Izarra said it was "a rescue operation by air," which was authorized earlier in the day by President Hugo Chavez. "Ramos free!," said one message on Izarra's account.

It would appear no ransom was ever paid, and Ramos was freed from his captures by way of force instead.

The news of Ramos' safe rescue was met with jubilation on Friday night by fans in Washington and Venezuela. Ramos was scheduled to be checked out by a medical team before being reunited with his family on Friday or Saturday.