The Global Advisor - Spotlight on Latin America - 11.24

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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