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.
For Internal Use Only
The Global Advisor:
Spotlight on Latin America November 2024
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 | November 2024
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Chile
Location of recorded incidents in October 2024
Source: Control Risks
Carabineros arrest kidnappers linked to the Tren de Aragua The police on 4 October arrested two members of ‘Los Piratas’ in Iquique (Tarapaca region). Senior police officials confirmed the suspects’ participation in an abduction reported a couple of months earlier and claimed that the gang has direct links with the Tren de Aragua.
Control Risks comment
Large criminal groups such as the Tren de Aragua or Los Pulpos will continue to rely on the creation of smaller groups to expand their reach across the country. This process will also increase the threat to wealthy individuals over the rest of 2024, as these gangs will continue to depend heavily on the revenue generated from ransom payments to fund their operations and will select their targets based on their personal displays of wealth.
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The Global Advisor: Spotlight on Latin America | November 2024
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Colombia
Kidnap victim escapes after weeks in captivity Criminals on 9 October kidnapped a truck driver after intercepting his car in La Gloria municipality (Cesar department). The perpetrators sent a COP 20m (USD 4,600) ransom demand to his relatives, however, the victim’s family claimed to not have sufficient funds. On 21 October the victim escaped and reached the Corregimiento Los Besotes, where the local police department assisted him.
Control Risks comment
The elevated threat environment across departments in the northwest of Colombia will continue over the coming months given the presence of multiple perpetrators, ranging from armed guerillas to rural gangs. Both groups are likely to act opportunistically across inter-city roads, as well as conduct planned abductions of wealthy individuals. Kidnaps in rural areas are likely to feature longer durations, particularly in cases perpetrated by left-wing guerillas.
Suspected left-wing guerillas kidnap businesswoman in Huila department Local media on 2 October reported the abduction of an agriculture businesswoman in La Plata (Huila department). The incident occurred roughly 20 days earlier when members of a suspected left-wing guerilla group ambushed the victim. Her relatives confirmed her abduction and that they had received an unspecified ransom demand.
Control Risks comment
The presence of multiple Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) dissident groups in departments across the south of the country will sustain an elevated kidnap risk over the coming months. Regional guerilla fronts – including the Estado Mayor Central (EMC) and the Segunda Marquetalia – are increasingly relying on ransom payments to fund efforts to expand their territorial control. Recent cases underscored the elevated risk to business owners living in rural areas or involved in agriculture.
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The Global Advisor: Spotlight on Latin America | November 2024
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Police search for kidnap victim in Georgetown Multiple armed men on 26 September kidnapped a man in Georgetown (Demerara Mahaica region). The incident took place outside the restaurant on a busy street, and the perpetrators dragged him inside a vehicle. On 29 September, two suspects surrendered to the police. Guyana
Express kidnaps increase in San Pedro Sula Local media on 23 October highlighted the increase in express kidnapping cases across San Pedro Sula (Cortes department) over the preceding month. The reported incidents were concentrated in the industrial neighbourhood of Los Zorzales. Honduras
Control Risks comment
Control Risks comment
Kidnaps in Guyana are severely underreported by the press, however, they will continue to take place sporadically over the rest of 2024. Large cities such as Georgetown will continue to account for most incidents given the larger presence of wealthy individuals and financially motivated criminals. Perpetrators’ capabilities will nonetheless remain low and gangs are unlikely to be able to carry out more complex abductions.
Similar incidents are likely to continue over the coming months amid the declining security environment in the country. Maras – or gangs – such as the MS-12 and Barrio 18 will remain the main perpetrator groups in the city and will likely target low and middle-income commuters opportunistically. The preference for express kidnappings is likely to continue as they reduce criminals’ exposure to law enforcement.
Gang kidnaps government official in Port-au-Prince Criminals on 12 October kidnapped the Ministry of Finance’s director for the Cap-Haitian department, in Port-au-Prince (Ouest department). No details about the abduction were reported, however, his release took place days after his family made a ransom payment of an undisclosed value. Haiti
Control Risks comment
Despite the presence of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in the capital, the kidnap risk will remain latent, even for high-profile individuals over the coming months. Business owners and wealthy individuals across the departments of Artibonite and Nord will become vulnerable to the presence of criminal groups such as the Kokarat San Ras gang, following their expansion out of Port-au-Prince.
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The Global Advisor: Spotlight on Latin America | November 2024
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Mexico
Peru
Police defuse virtual kidnap in the Guadalajara metropolitan area A woman on 9 October received an MXN 200,000 (USD 10,200) ransom demand from criminals claiming to have kidnapped her 15-year-old son in Tlajomulco (Jalisco state). The teenager later called her from a phone booth and mentioned receiving instructions from criminals to isolate in Tlaquepaque. The police geolocated the victim’s phone and ended the scam.
Businessman rescued after ten days in captivity Media on 12 October reported on the rescue of a business owner ten days after his abduction at his store in Chimbote (Ancash department). The family received a ransom demand for PEN 3m (USD 790,000), followed by videos of the perpetrators mutilating the victim’s hands. The police rescued the victim after 10 days and arrested multiple suspects.
Control Risks comment
Control Risks comment
The number of recorded kidnaps in Peru increased since the start of 2024, a pattern that will continue into the end of the year considering the growing capabilities of criminal groups. Overall, cases affecting business owners lasted for longer periods, usually around a week, though most of these incidents ended with successful rescues.
Mexico is the Americas’ virtual kidnap hotspot, accounting for 25% of all reported incidents in the region according to Control Risks’ data. This trend will continue over a one-year outlook given the high number of low capability criminals who engage in this type of crime. The dependants of business owners or high-earning employees will also continue to be the most targeted victim profiles.
Close to a quarter of companies received extortion or kidnapping threats in 2024 A news outlet on 18 October reported that roughly 21% of privately owned companies in Peru received extortion and kidnapping threats over the course of 2024. A little under half of the businesses confirmed that they increased their expenditure on security as a result of the perceived threats.
Control Risks comment
This trend will likely persist into 2025, as continued political and economic instability fuels the expansion of criminal groups across urban areas of Peru. The La Libertad and Lima departments will remain the primary hotspots and perpetrators are likely to target businesses from a variety of sectors, including retail, manufacturing, education, entertainment, and professional services, as well as government offices.
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