The Global Advisor: Spotlight on Latin America | March 2026 Colombia
Military rescues three kidnap victims, including a business traveller, in Juan de Acosta (Atlántico department)
Criminals pose as rideshare driver to kidnap a victim in Bogotá (Cundinamarca department) On 5 February, criminals posing as rideshare drivers kidnapped a citizen who requested a pick-up in the Ciudad Bolívar area of Bogotá. The perpetrators forced the victim into the boot of the car. Details of a ransom demand were not reported, but police noticed the vehicle’s path was erratic and pulled the perpetrators over, before rescuing the victim. The perpetrators then escaped on foot.
On 11 January, an armed group kidnapped three individuals, including one man who had travelled to Barranquilla (Atlántico department) to do business. The kidnappers then transferred the victims to a safe house in Juan de Acosta, where they demanded a large financial ransom for their release. Military personnel rescued the victims, arresting two perpetrators on 22 January.
Control Risks comment
Control Risks comment
The incident occurred after a 360% year-on-year increase in financially motivated kidnappings in Bogotá for 2025, according to police statistics. Given the often-opportunistic nature of kidnapping in the city, frequent commuters, particularly those using taxis or rideshares, will face an elevated risk in 2026. Business travellers and tourists, including foreign nationals, also face risk: approximately 7% of kidnap victims in Bogotá were foreign national tourists in 2025, according to the Control Risks database.
Business owners accounted for 59% of verified victims in the Atlántico department between 2021 and 2026. This trend stems from high-capacity groups, including the Gulf Clan. The kidnappers retain the capabilities and resources to transport victims from busy areas of Barranquilla to safe houses in less populous towns and rural villages in the department.
04
Copyright © Control Risks – Please refer to the disclaimer at the end of this document.
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker