DETROIT -- Detroit Tigers star Miguel Cabrera is speaking out more forcefully than ever before about the ongoing crisis in his native Venezuela, breaking what he said was his long-standing rule against meddling in politics.

In a series of free-wheeling videos posted on Monday to the "stories" section of his Instagram account, Cabrera blasted the corruption of Venezuela's government, voiced his support for protesters and spoke of threats against his family that required him to pay vacunas, or protection money.

The passionate political speeches in Spanish were interspersed with videos of his family on a private jet and then at a beach resort. Monday was the first day of the All-Star Break and Cabrera was among several players who left for family vacations after Sunday night's game.

It's not clear if Cabrera intended the videos for wide distribution. Instagram stories are designed to be viewed only once and disappear completely within 24 hours.

In any case, Cabrera's comments instantly made headlines in Venezuela, where newspapers and websites put his words in bold headlines:

"If I go to Venezuela 'they'll break me, they'll kill me'"

"I'm tired of paying protection money so they don't kidnap my mother"

Cabrera's words come at a pivotal time in the history of Venezuela, which was once one of the wealthiest in South America. Today it's on the brink of economic collapse.

President Nicholas Maduro has called a July 30 referendum that opponents believe will be used to permanently enshrine a Cuban-style communist dictatorship. The opposition has called on supporters to ignore Maduro's plan and instead vote in an unofficial referendum on July 16. Protests against Maduro's government have racked the country for months.

Although Cabrera said he did not consider himself a member of the opposition, he made no secret about where he stands.

"I protest for truth, for the end of communism, and I am not with dictators," he said. "To the people of the resistance, you are not alone."

Cabrera also added that no "gringo" had paid him for his views, a reference to Maduro's claims that the United States is paying celebrities and athletes to speak out against his government.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmsmoNuCbCY

Cabrera's words are from more than a dozen short videos posted on Instagram. Spliced together, they're a mixture of high-minded political philosophy and personal grievances, along with pleas for his family's safety.

"Please do not do anything to my family. That's what I ask," Cabrera said.

He said he was "sick of paying protection money against the threat that they are going to kidnap my mother" and not knowing if they "are the police or criminals."

He also seemed stung by criticism that he was not doing enough to help people suffering through the economic crisis.

"I have helped Venezuela a lot," he said. "I have sent medicine and food. What do you want me to send? Weapons? Don't tell me that we are not doing anything."

Venezuelan baseball players have usually tiptoed around politics, partly because of concerns about the safety of their families, but also because many in Venezuela supported Chavismo, the left-wing ideology that has dominated the landscape of Venezuelan politics since the late Hugo Chavez came to power in 1999.

Former Tigers star Magglio Ordonez is a now a mayor in Venezuela and an ardent chavista. Ordonez has continued his support for Maduro, Chavez's successor, even as the president's popularity has plummeted.

Ordonez is now largely alone among MLB players willing to publicly support the regime, while the anti-Maduro voices are growing louder.

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli was one of the first players to strongly support the opposition rather than simply issue a vague call for peace.

Other players have made videos of support for protesters. This week at the All-Star Game in Miami, Royals catcher Salvador Perez displayed an upside-down Venezuelan flag, a symbol used by protesters in demonstrations.

Cabrera said the first piece of advice he was given by legendary Venezuelan baseball player Andres Galarraga was not to get involved in politics.

"And I never have," Cabrera said. "But right now we have to get involved, because the country has been hijacked."

Cabrera said there had threats made against him in his hometown of Maracay. "As the chavistas told me, 'If you go to Venezuela, they will break you, they will kill you.'

"Many people are going to say, 'Who is going to break you?' Many guys are hungry there and some who are hungry from Maracay are chavistas. They declared war on me and I declared (war) on them.

"The chavistas are opportunists, because they grab at money. They are not of the people."

Further reading from Spanish sources: El Diario de los Andes, El Nacional, Runrunes.