The Global Advisor: Spotlight on Latin America | March 2025
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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
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.
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