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.
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