The Global Advisor - Spotlight on Latin America - 03.25

This report aims to provide readers with an indicative snapshot of kidnap, threat and extortive incidents captured by Control Risks’ Special Risks Analysis team to inform wider trends across Latin America. The following cases are open-source incidents taken from Control Risks’ records. These cases were selected based on their reliable sources and illustrative nature but do not represent the full extent of the problem.

The Global Advisor:

Spotlight on Latin America March 2025

This report aims to provide readers with an indicative snapshot of kidnap, threat and extortive incidents captured by Control Risks’ Special Risks Analysis team to inform wider trends impacting businesses across Latin America. The following cases are open-source incidents taken from Control Risks’ records. These cases were selected based on their reliable sources and illustrative nature but do not represent the full extent of the problem. For further analysis or information please contact the Special Risks Analysis team at Control Risks at specialrisksanalysis@controlrisks.com

The Global Advisor: Spotlight on Latin America | March 2025

Celebrating 30 years in partnership

Brazil

Location of recorded incidents in January and February 2025

Source: Control Risks

Cryptocurrency dispute leads to kidnap in Santa Isabel (Sao Paulo state) Criminals on 26 February kidnapped a man from his vehicle in Santa Isabel (Sao Paulo state) to demand a large ransom payment after they did not receive an expected cryptocurrency transfer. Two of the criminals drove away in the victim’s vehicle while two others forced him into a second vehicle. After some time, the criminals released the victim. Police later arrested six suspects.

Control Risks comment

As cryptocurrency usage in Brazil continues to surge in 2025, incidents in which kidnap victims are targeted, either due to their publicised cryptocurrency holdings or due to disputes over crypto trading, are likely to increase. These incidents will likely increase at a faster rate than conventional kidnaps in Sao Paulo over the rest of the year.

Criminals dump victim in river after express kidnap in Rio Grande do Sul state Criminals late on the night of 21 February express kidnapped a businessman as he was leaving his place of work in Venancio Aires (Rio Grande do Sul state). The kidnappers held the victim captive for several hours during which they forced him to transfer a large ransom. The criminals then threw the victim into a river in Rio Pardinho (Rio Grande do Sul state). Police found the victim alive but in a serious condition on 22 February.

Control Risks comment

Kidnap incidents in Rio Grande do Sul state remain less common than other national hotspots such as Sao Paulo, Bahia, or Rio de Janeiro. Small criminal groups will nonetheless continue to target middle and high-income individuals, choosing express kidnapping due to their low capacity to hold victims for long periods of time.

The Global Advisor: Spotlight on Latin America | March 2025

Celebrating 30 years in partnership

Chile

Police rescue kidnap victim forced to make bank withdrawal Criminals on approximately 4 February kidnapped a victim and held him captive in a safe house in Limache (Valparaiso region). On 6 February, the kidnappers brought the victim to a bank and forced him to make a withdrawal from his account. While the victim was making the withdrawal, he handed the teller a piece of paper asking for help. The teller called the police who subsequently rescued the victim and arrested three perpetrators.

Control Risks comment

In 2024, the Valparaíso region registered the second-highest number of kidnaps in Chile. Criminal groups will continue to target victims based on their perceived wealth across 2025. Criminals with access to safe houses will demand larger ransoms from victims due to their capacity to hold the victim for longer periods of time.

Criminals kidnap barbershop owner in Conchalí (Santiago Metropolitan Region) Eight armed criminals on 6 January 2025 violently entered a barbershop in Conchalí (Santiago Metropolitan Region) and kidnapped the owner after robbing the customers of the establishment. The kidnappers forced the owner into a vehicle and drove away at speed. Police confirmed that the fate of the victim was unknown and that an investigation was underway.

Control Risks comment

Santiago Metropolitan Region witnessed the highest incidence of kidnapping-for-ransom in Chile in 2024. Both low-capability criminal gangs perpetrating opportunistic kidnaps as well as larger organised criminal groups, such as the Tren de Aragua and Los Pulpos, operate in the city. Due to the presence of higher-capacity groups, the city registers more targeted kidnaps than anywhere else in the country, with approximately 25% of victims abducted from their home or place of work.

The Global Advisor: Spotlight on Latin America | March 2025

Celebrating 30 years in partnership

Colombia

Criminals release couple after ‘paseo millonario’ in Bogotá Armed criminals on motorcycles on 27 February surrounded the taxi of a couple in Bogotá (Cundinamarca department) as they travelled to their home. The kidnappers ordered the taxi driver to drive to a residence in the south of the city and once there, forced the couple to transfer a large sum of money to them. The criminals then drugged the couple and abandoned them nearby where they were able to seek medical attention.

Police rescue kidnap victim using drones in Caldas department Criminals on 26 February kidnapped an agricultural worker by luring him to a rural location in the town of Villamaria (Caldas department) with the promise of a work contract. The criminals demanded a large ransom from his partner who swiftly reported the kidnap to the police. The police quickly located the victim using drones and carried out a rescue operation, arresting four perpetrators.

Control Risks comment

The ‘paseo millonario’ is a type of express kidnap in which criminals target taxi passengers by either intercepting the vehicle or posing as the driver. Over the last quarter of 2024 and into early 2025, such cases became increasingly more common, especially in major metropolitan hubs such as Bogotá and Medellín. This trend is likely to continue over 2025, impacting victims across many demographics.

In 2024, departments across Colombia registered an increase in kidnaps in which perpetrators utilised the ‘fake contract’ method, advertising job posts or contacting businesses to contract services to lure potential kidnap victims to specific locations. Agricultural and mining workers in rural departments such as Caldas, Cesar and Norte de Santander will face an increased risk of fake contract kidnaps across 2025.

The Global Advisor: Spotlight on Latin America | March 2025

Celebrating 30 years in partnership

Police rescue kidnapped taxi driver in Quito Criminals on 22 February 2025 kidnapped a victim after he booked a cab through a ride hailing app in Quito (Pichincha province) to extort a ransom. Media reports did not disclose the exact demand. When a police patrol passed the taxi, the two kidnappers abandoned the vehicle and tried to flee on foot, but police intercepted them. The officers then discovered the kidnap victim in the vehicle and freed him. Ecuador

Guatemala

Gang kidnaps doctor in Mazatenango (Suchitepéquez department)

Armed criminals on 18 January 2025 kidnapped a doctor from her car near her home in Mazatenango (Suchitepéquez department). The perpetrators fired their weapons at least twice to intercept her vehicle. The criminals demanded a ransom of an undisclosed significant amount from the victim’s family. Police on 25 January rescued the victim and arrested two suspects.

Control Risks comment

Despite reports of the increased presence of organised criminal groups in Quito, small and low-capacity opportunistic kidnappers will persist as the main threat actor over the coming months. 53% of kidnaps from January 2023 to January 2025 took place when the victims were in transit. Over this period kidnappers primarily targeted both taxi driver and passengers as well as other public transport workers due to their visibility and accessibility in public areas. This trend will continue across 2025.

While Guatemala department remains the major hotspot for kidnapping in the country, sporadic incidents are registered in its neighbouring departments as well as those bordering Mexico and Honduras. Incidents in Suchitepéquez are very rare. Kidnap numbers in 2025 are likely to remain low.

Gang abducts restaurant owner in Guayaquil (Guayas province) Criminals on 4 February kidnapped the owner of a construction materials depository in Guayaquil (Guayas province). Criminals demanded a very large ransom from the victim’s family. Police on 5 February rescued the victim. No further details were reported.

Control Risks comment

Guayaquil continued to register the highest number of kidnaps in Ecuador in 2024 and witnessed an increase of 7% in recorded cases compared to 2023. A wide variety of criminal organisations operate in Guayaquil, many with a high level of capability. Roughly 73% of victims whose employment status was reported were business owners or senior-level employees, reflecting the ability of organised crime groups (OCGs) in Guayaquil to target high-income victims.

The Global Advisor: Spotlight on Latin America | March 2025

Celebrating 30 years in partnership

Guyana

Honduras

Criminals kidnap girl from restaurant after armed robbery Criminals on 25 February 2025 kidnapped a 15-year-old girl in La Jalousie (Essequibo Islands - West Demerara region) after carrying out an armed robbery at a restaurant. Police rescued the victim and arrested two perpetrators after the vehicle driven by the perpetrators crashed and overturned.

Woman escapes kidnap attempt in Tegucigalpa (Francisco Morazan department) Four criminals on 17 February attempted to kidnap a woman from a shop in Tegucigalpa (Francisco Morazan department), trying to force her into a van. The victim was able to resist and raise the alarm, causing the criminals to flee. Police on 19 February arrested the four perpetrators. No further details were reported.

Control Risks comment

Demerara Mahaica province, where the capital of Georgetown is located, registered the highest number of kidnaps in the country between January 2023 and January 2025, but sporadic incidents are recorded in its neighbouring provinces such as Essequibo Islands – West Demerara. While the threat remains low in Guyana, small local gangs will sporadically perpetrate financially motivated kidnaps across 2025.

Francisco Morazan department registered the second highest number of kidnaps in Honduras behind Cortes between 2022 and 2024, although the number of incidents has remained broadly stable across the past three years. Low-level criminal gangs will continue to perpetrate opportunistic kidnaps in the department over 2025, mainly targeting victims in transit or in publicly accessible spaces.

The Global Advisor: Spotlight on Latin America | March 2025

Celebrating 30 years in partnership

Mexico

Criminals express kidnap Uruguayan footballer in León (Guanajuato state) Express kidnappers on 27 February targeted a Uruguayan professional footballer as he travelled to training on the León-Lagos highway in Guanajuato state. The criminals forced him out of his vehicle and into their own, holding him captive for approximately two hours before leaving him in an abandoned field. A ransom demand was not disclosed but his vehicle was discovered metres from the site of the kidnapping.

Virtual kidnappers target university students in Sonora Virtual kidnappers on 26 February targeted several students in Cajeme (Sonora state), forcing them to isolate themselves from their families for several hours. Criminals demanded a large ransom payment from one of the families. Police responded to the three incidents and located the victims in various locations around the city, alone and unharmed.

Control Risks comment

University students represent common targets for virtual kidnappers as their movements are often unknown to parents. It is therefore more likely that family members believe the scam. The tactic of targeting multiple students at the same university on the same day is becoming more common, as Control Risks recorded multiple similar incidents in other states such as Jalisco. This trend will likely continue across 2025 as perpetrators attempt to maximize their chances of eliciting a ransom while reducing their exposure to their authorities.

Control Risks comment

Guanajuato regularly registers express kidnaps and kidnaps-for-ransom of wealthy individuals on major highways in the state. Criminals operating on highways in Guanajuato will continue to express kidnap individuals based on their public displays of wealth, such as by targeting luxury vehicles, across 2025. As such, high-net-worth individuals travelling will remain at risk of kidnapping.

The Global Advisor: Spotlight on Latin America | March 2025

Celebrating 30 years in partnership

Panama

Paraguay

Armed criminals abduct student in Panamá Oeste A group of armed criminals on 19 February kidnapped a 23-year-old student as she parked her car in front of her home in Vista Alegre (Panama Oeste province). Police on 3 March announced the arrest of two people in connection with the case on the charges of kidnapping and aggravated robbery but confirmed the whereabouts of the victim remained unknown.

Police rescue express kidnap victim in Tacuati (San Pedro department) A group of armed criminals on 25 February 2025 kidnapped a farmer outside of his home Tacuati (San Pedro department) by forcing him at gunpoint into a vehicle. The man’s family witnessed the abduction and reported the incident to the police. The criminals demanded that the man hand over all the money in his possession but he did not have any cash or bank cards on him. The police rescued the victim soon after.

Control Risks comment

While the kidnap threat in Panamá remains low compared to neighbouring countries in Latin America, Panamá Oeste witnessed sporadic incidents with a slight increase in the number of kidnaps recorded in 2024 compared to the previous year.

Control Risks comment

Paraguay registers few kidnaps annually compared to other regional hotspots, however, sporadic incidents are recorded across departments bordering Brazil such as Amambay, Canindeyú and Alto Paraná. Incidents in the central, rural department of San Pedro are extremely rare. This trend is likely to continue over the coming year.

The Global Advisor: Spotlight on Latin America | March 2025

Celebrating 30 years in partnership

Peru

Police rescue kidnap victim after failed ransom payment in Lima department Members of Venezuelan criminal group Cota 905 on 19 February kidnapped two businesswomen in San Martín de Porres (Lima department) as they left their workplaces, forcing them into two vehicles. The criminals released one of the women shortly after the abduction. The kidnappers held the other victim and demanded considerable ransom payment from her family for her return. On 25 February, her family paid an unspecified portion of the initial demand. The perpetrators did not release the victim after receiving the payment. Police rescued the victim and arrested 14 perpetrators later that day.

Control Risks comment

Numbers of reported kidnaps have sharply increased over the past three years, rising 195% from 2022 to 2024. According to Control Risks data, 48% of all incidents took place in Lima department. OCGs will continue to target more lucrative victim profiles such as senior managers, business owners, and their dependants across various districts of the capital over the rest of 2025.

About Us The Hiscox Crisis Management division serves both corporate and private clients. Our exclusive partnership with Control Risks allows us to combine renowned insurance expertise with unparalleled security risk and crisis management capability to protect what matters most to our clients. We are the global leaders in this sector. Celebrating 30 years in partnership, Hiscox and Control Risks have helped policyholders manage thousands of crisis events, including complex security and integrity issues. Together, we combine our insurance expertise with Control Risks’ capabilities across security risk and crisis management, protecting what matters most to our clients.

Control Risks is a global specialist risk consultancy. We are committed to helping our clients build organisations that are secure, compliant and resilient in an age of ever-changing risk. We believe that responsible risk-taking is at the core of our clients’ success. We have unparalleled experience in helping clients ready themselves for, respond to and recover from challenges and crises that arise in any ambitious organisation seeking to convert risk into opportunity globally. Kidnap & ransom Hiscox has established itself as the world’s leading provider of crisis insurance for the last 25 years, offering financial protection and world-class response services to corporations and private individuals all around the world. Our insurance offering keeps people and businesses safe against the threat of kidnap, extortive threats, malicious detention, hijack and other complex crises. We insure all forms of corporates, from the largest multinationals to the smallest companies, as well as families and some of the wealthiest people in the world whose wealth or fame may attract unwanted attention. Hiscox is the world’s largest provider of crisis insurance, currently underwriting more than half of the industry’s kidnap and ransom insurance premium.

In business since 1901, Hiscox is one of the most trusted and influential Lloyd’s of London syndicates. Whether it’s protecting family homes from a storm surge or hail damage, helping to safeguard blue-chip companies from the crippling financial and reputational costs of a cyber-attack, or working to keep employees safe and businesses operational following a terrorist incident, we continue to innovate to respond to some of the most complex, volatile and emerging risks.

Key coverages include:

Multinational companies of all sizes operating in high risk regions of the world Charities and NGOs Security companies Shipping companies Key executives working in commercially sensitive positions Private families

Copyright © Control Risks. All rights reserved. This report is for distribution by Hiscox only and must not be reproduced or disclosed to any other party (“Third Party”) without the express prior written consent of Control Risks or Hiscox. Any reproduction or disclosure without authorisation shall be considered an infringement of Control Risks’ intellectual property rights (including copyright). If authorised, disclosure by an authorised party (“Authorised Party”) must be subject to the following conditions: (i) the Authorised Party will not change the wording or alter the meaning given in any part of this report; (ii) all extracts from this report will be individually attributed to Control Risks with the reference “Source: Control Risks” at the end of such extract; and (iii) save as otherwise agreed in writing by Control Risks, the Authorised Party will not broadcast, publish, resell or otherwise disclose this report to any Third Party without the prior written consent of Control Risks. This report is based on information available at the time of writing. No express or implied warranty is given in respect of any judgment made or to changes or any unforeseen escalation of any factors affecting any such judgment. The issues covered by this report and the emphasis placed on them may not necessarily address all the issues of concern in relation to its subject matter. Analysis provided in this report does not in any way constitute recommendations or advice, nor constitute a warranty of future results by any company in the Control Risks group of companies (“Control Risks”) nor an assurance against risk. Control Risks disclaims all liability arising from the disclosure and use of this report.

For further analysis or information please contact the Special Risks Analysis team at Control Risks: specialrisksanalysis@controlrisks.com controlrisks.com

Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10

Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker