The Global Advisor: Spotlight on Latin America | March 2026 Ecuador
Haiti Gang members abduct a judge travelling between Port-au-Prince and Kenscoff (Ouest department) On 24 January, armed criminals abducted the victim as he travelled on the highway from Port‑au‑Prince to Kenscoff. Two days later, the Port‑au‑Prince Court of Appeals confirmed that the judge remained in the custody of the perpetrators who were demanding a large financial ransom for his release.
Police rescue Peruvian businessman abducted in El Empalme (Guayas province) Criminals on 22 January kidnapped a Peruvian business owner as he was travelling around El Empalme for work. The kidnappers moved him to a safe house in the north of Guayaquil and sent photos and videos of the victim to his family in Peru, along with a demand for a large financial ransom. The family reported the incident to the National Police of Peru, which subsequently coordinated with Ecuador’s specialised anti-kidnapping unit, UNASE, to investigate the crime. Officers rescued the victim from the safe house the following day.
Control Risks comment
Control Risks comment
The Ouest department will continue to face a kidnap risk in 2026 which we rate as EXTREME, with Port-au-Prince remaining the national hotspot. Kenscoff and neighbouring municipalities will likely register a growing number of incidents as gangs expand their territorial control, despite efforts from local police and the Multinational Security Support mission (MSS). Most attacks will remain indiscriminate and involve the simultaneous abduction of multiple victims. However, government officials, individuals displaying visible signs of wealth, local business owners and employees of multinational organisations will continue to face elevated exposure due to their perceived ransom potential.
The kidnapping threat for business owners and commercial personnel will remain pervasive in the Guayas province throughout 2026. Between 2023 and 2026, around 38% of identified victims were small or medium-sized business owners, while 42% were commercial employees. Affluent foreign nationals, especially business owners who are well known within their community, will also face a heightened risk. In the same period, around 18% of kidnap victims who owned businesses were not Ecuadorian.
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