The Global Advisor - Spotlight on Latin America - 06.25

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 June 2025

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 impacting businesses 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 further analysis or information please contact the Special Risks Analysis team at Control Risks at specialrisksanalysis@controlrisks.com

The Global Advisor: Spotlight on Latin America | June 2025

Argentina

Location of recorded incidents in April and May 2025

Source: Control Risks

Scammers virtually kidnap man in Córdoba (Córdoba province)

Criminals on 23 April 2025 virtual kidnapped a 29-year-old man in Córdoba (Córdoba province) by cloning his voice and making extortive phone calls to his parents. The criminals demanded that his parents deliver all the money they had available, along with gold jewellery and any other valuables in exchange for their son’s release. The parents met these demands, but the scammers attempted to extort more from them. When the parents informed the supposed kidnappers that they had handed over everything they had, the criminals informed them that they never had their son captive. The parents were then able to contact their son and realized the case was a virtual kidnapping.

Control Risks comment

The prevalence of virtual kidnaps throughout Latin America increased substantially during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period the previous year. Similar increases have also been seen in Argentina despite the country having one of the most benign threat environments in the region. The use of artificial intelligence is increasingly common in regional hotspots such as Mexico, largely because it enhances the deception capabilities of virtual kidnappers and improves their chances of receiving ransom payments. Such cases are likely to become more common in Argentina over the next six months.

The Global Advisor: Spotlight on Latin America | June 2025

Brazil

Chile

Criminals express kidnap influencer and her husband in Recife (Pernambuco state) Criminals on 21 April 2025 express kidnapped an influencer and her husband from their vehicle as they drove towards their home in Recife (Pernambuco state). The kidnappers held the victims captive in a wooded area and forced them to make a large ransom payment to secure their release. The victims complied and their captors released them a few hours later.

Venezuelan and Peruvian criminals kidnap and extort two victims in Antofagasta (Antofagasta region) Venezuelan criminals on approximately 15 May 2025 kidnapped two individuals in Antofagasta (Antofagasta province). The kidnappers held the victims captive in a residence in the same city. Criminals in Peru then sent videos of the kidnappers beating and binding one of the victims to his relative. The Peruvian criminals then demanded an undisclosed sum from the victims’ families who later complied with a ransom payment. The relatives also reported this to the police who launched a rescue operation. Officers on 17 May rescued both victims from the house and arrested three perpetrators.

Control Risks comment

Control Risks has recorded periodic kidnap for ransom and express kidnaps of online influencers across the northeast of Brazil, especially in Bahia and Pernambuco, due to the presence of criminal gangs specialising in targeting these types of victims. Kidnappers often exploit the increased online exposure of these types of victims, capitalising on their public disclosure of their location and planned routines. Kidnaps of this victim type normally end within the same day, however, criminals are likely to hold victims captive for protracted periods if they identify the opportunity for larger payments.

Control Risks comment

This case is the latest in a growing series of incidents in Chile featuring gangs with ties to transnational criminal groups. Such groups mainly operate in the northern regions of Antofagasta, Coquimbo, and Tarapacá, as well as Valparaíso and the Metropolitan region in central Chile. Most incidents in Chile involve negotiations with criminals based within the country, although cases featuring similar complex communications will remain indicative of high-capability criminal groups who operate across multiple countries. Such groups are likely to be more selective when profiling their victims, often preferring wealthier individuals.

The Global Advisor: Spotlight on Latin America | June 2025

Colombia

Army rescues pharmaceutical business owner from kidnappers in Salgar (Antioquia department) Armed criminals on 11 April 2025 kidnapped a prominent pharmaceutical business owner from his country home in Concordia (Antioquia department). The criminals then demanded a large ransom payment from his family. The Colombian Army on 13 April rescued the victim in Salgar (Antioquia department) after exchanging fire with the kidnappers who managed to flee.

Suspected members of the FARC dissident front Jaime Martinez kidnap two individuals from a house in the Valle del Cauca department Fived armed gunmen on 3 May 2025 broke into a private residence in Potrerito (Valle del Cauca department) and kidnapped the owners’ 11-year-old son, alongside the housekeeper. In video surveillance of the incident, the kidnappers asked specifically for the young boy based on his appearance. The kidnappers released the housekeeper hours later but kept the boy captive. Police on 6 May stated that they suspected members of the Jaime Martinez FARC dissident front to be the perpetrators, confirming the fate of the victim was unknown. Six days later, the police confirmed that a ransom had been demanded for the boy’s release.

Control Risks comment

The security environment in the southwest of Antioquia, including the Salgar municipality, is likely to remain fragile over the coming months amid the heightened presence of unidentified criminals targeting both civilians and security forces. Business owners and other wealthier individuals will remain vulnerable targets as kidnappers are likely to target individuals capable of paying larger ransom payments. Additionally, groups operating in rural Antioquia depend heavily on the revenue generated by ransom payments to fund their operations.

Control Risks comment

FARC dissident groups will remain a credible threat to business owners and other wealthy individuals in rural areas across the departments of Cauca and Valle del Cauca over the rest of 2025. These groups increased their presence in these areas substantially over 2024, with reports of multiple kidnap cases affecting similar victim profiles.

The Global Advisor: Spotlight on Latin America | June 2025

Costa Rica

Police rescue kidnap victim in mountainous area of San José province Armed criminals on 25 April 2025 kidnapped a 31-year-old man from his vehicle in Aserrí (San José province). The criminals transported the victim to a mountainous area and held him captive there, demanding a large ransom payment in CRC from his family. Police on 26 April mounted a rescue operation, freeing the victim and arresting three perpetrators.

Control Risks comment

Despite Costa Rica reporting considerably lower numbers of kidnaps compared to neighbouring countries, kidnapping has become increasingly common throughout 2024. San José province will remain the principal hotspot across the coming year, having accounted for 45% of all kidnap incidents between January 2022 and May 2025.

The Global Advisor: Spotlight on Latin America | June 2025

Ecuador

Police on 24 April rescued the wife and son of a footballer in Guayaquil (Guayas province) Armed criminals on 23 April 2025 violently broke into the house of a Club Sport Emelec footballer in Guayaquil (Guayas province) and kidnapped his wife and five-year-old son. The criminals forced the victims into a vehicle and transported them to an improvised structure in the Nueva Prosperina district of the city. The criminals then demanded a large ransom for their release. Police successfully negotiated a significantly lower settlement, nonetheless, the footballer decided not to pay. Police on 24 April launched a successful rescue operation, locating both victims. The perpetrators escaped into a nearby wooded area.

Police rescue HGV driver abducted by kidnappers in Santa Ana (Manabí province) Criminals on 5 May 2025 kidnapped the 60-year-old owner of an HGV and his 27-year-old son whom they had contracted under false pretences to transport a motorcycle. They intercepted them en route in Portoviejo (Manabí province) and transported the victims to a rural residence in Santa Ana (Manabí province) before demanding a large ransom payment from their family. The victim’s daughter, who was following the victims’ phones GPS signal when the incident took place, reported the incident to the authorities. Police responded quickly and used the information to locate and rescue the two victims as well as another victim who had also been kidnapped under similar circumstances. Officers arrested three perpetrators.

Control Risks comment

Wealthy individuals will continue to face the risk of targeted kidnaps in Guayaquil over the next 12 months. According to the Control Risks database, the number of kidnaps of business owners increased by 67% in 2024 in Guayaquil compared to the previous year. Furthermore, business owners, high net-worth individuals, and their dependants accounted for over 58% of victims whose employment status was reported in 2024.

Advertising fake work contracts to lure victims is becoming an increasingly common tactic among kidnappers across Latin America, including in Ecuador. Freelance workers and business owners across a variety of sectors including transport and logistics, building and construction, and professional services, will face a heightened risk of this kind of kidnap across the coming year. Perpetrators are likely to lure victims to rural and less densely populated areas to abduct them.

The Global Advisor: Spotlight on Latin America | June 2025

Haiti

Dominican family pay large ransom to secure the release of two relatives in Haiti An armed Haitian group on 27 April 2025 kidnapped two Dominican men, one an ex-professional baseball player in an undisclosed town in Nord Est department. The kidnappers then sent a video of the victims being transferred into a safe house to their family, demanding a large ransom payment. The family of the victims paid this ransom, and the kidnappers released their victims on the following day. However, on crossing the Haiti-Dominican Republic border, migration police arrested the two victims for undisclosed reasons.

Control Risks comment

Despite local nationals accounting for the vast majority of kidnap victims in Haiti, kidnappers will retain a high intent of targeting foreign nationals as they consider their abduction to yield larger ransom payments. Dominican nationals make up 35% of victims in incidents involving foreigners in Haiti, largely because of the high number of Dominican expats in areas near the border. Given the severe kidnap threat environment in the country, and the increasing lack of lucrative local targets, Dominican nationals who sporadically travel into Haiti will face a greater risk of falling victim to kidnapping.

The Global Advisor: Spotlight on Latin America | June 2025

Honduras

Kidnappers release businessman after large ransom payment in Tocoa (Colón department) Two armed criminals on 28 April 2025 kidnapped a retail business owner from inside his store the municipal market in Tocoa (Colón department). The kidnappers then contacted the man’s father, also a business owner, and demanded a large financial ransom, which the father paid. The kidnappers released the victim on 29 April on the outskirts of Tocoa.

Virtual kidnappers target technicians in Santa Ana (Francisco Morazán department) Criminals on 2 May 2025 lured two renewable energy technicians to an installation in Santa Ana (Francisco Morazán department) in order to virtually kidnap them. Once the two technicians arrived, the scammers contacted them via a phone call, told them they had surrounded the installation and that they would shoot them if they tried to leave. The scammers then contacted the victims’ employer to demand a ransom for their return. Police responded to the incident and confirmed that the men were safe.

Control Risks comment

Kidnapping commonly occurs in Honduras, with the vast majority of incidents taking place in and around the capital Tegucigalpa (Francisco Morazán department) and San Pedro Sula (Cortés department). Incidents remain rare in Colón, accounting for only 2% of all incidents registered in the country between January 2022 and May 2025. Business owners will likely remain common targets across the rest of the year.

Virtual kidnaps are less commonly registered in Honduras than in other Central American countries. However, cases will likely increase over the rest of the year as criminals favour this type of extortive crime given the lower risk of being identified or intercepted by police. Luring victims with fake work contracts will likely remain a common tactic in both genuine and virtual kidnaps across 2025.

The Global Advisor: Spotlight on Latin America | June 2025

Jamaica

Mexico

Haitian criminal kidnaps woman for ransom and sexually assaults her in Saint James parish. Criminals kidnapped a woman from inside a relative’s house in Montego Bay (St James parish) on 16 April. The kidnappers took her to a nearby bush community where they beat and sexually assaulted the victim. The perpetrators then contacted her family to demand a ransom in exchange for her release. The victim was released on 18 April. Police on 25 April arrested one suspect, a Haitian man.

Virtual kidnappers target school students in Zapopan (Jalisco state) Alleged members of a large criminal group on 31 May virtually kidnapped five school students in Zapopan (Jalisco state). The scammers called all the victims while they were in school and forced them, under threat of violence, to move to an unreported location. Their relatives received calls simultaneously from the perpetrators, making large ransom demands, however, the police located the students in the street shortly after, defusing the scam.

Control Risks comment

Despite its high crime rates, Jamaica records low numbers of kidnaps compared to other Central American countries. Registered incidents tend to occur in Kingston and Saint Catherine parishes and are normally perpetrated by low-capability criminals, including small gangs.

Mexico recorded a 340% increase in virtual kidnappings during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, with the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area accounting for the highest number of cases. This pattern will pose a heightened threat to wealthy individuals and business owners over the rest of the year, as high-capability virtual kidnappers will continue targeting their dependants. Cases affecting their children at school are particularly common, given that kidnappers can easily deceive and isolate them. In contrast, cases affecting multiple victims at the same time are likely to remain rare.

The Global Advisor: Spotlight on Latin America | June 2025

Paraguay

Peru

Brazilian kidnappers target foreign students in Alto Paraná A Brazilian criminal on 17 May held two Brazilian students hostage in their apartment on the outskirts of Ciudad del Este (Alto Paraná department). The criminal gained access to their apartment by pretending to be a medical student where he then held them against their will with a knife, demanding a large ransom payment from their relatives over a messaging app. The students’ relatives transferred a significant amount via the PIX app. Neighbours heard the students’ screams and contacted the authorities who responded to the incident, rescuing the two victims and arresting the perpetrator.

Police rescue kidnap victim after failed ransom payment in La Libertad department Criminals on 26 April kidnapped 13 miners from a gold mine in Pataz (La Libertad department). On the same day, the kidnappers demanded a very large ransom payment from their families. National Police officers on 5 May discovered the lifeless bodies of the victims in a mine shaft. Relatives of the victims informed media outlets that the massacre appeared to have taken place several days earlier and that the bodies displayed signs of torture. Police confirmed that the perpetrators were illegal miners with ties to organised crime.

Control Risks comment

Mining was the most heavily affected sector by kidnapping in La Libertad between January 2023 and May 2025, with approximately 54% of victims whose professions were reported being mining employees. The expansion of illegal mining is the main driver of this trend, especially considering that organised criminal groups use kidnapping not only for monetary gain but also to gain control of key sites and intimidate both the local population and legal miners. This will likely continue across 2025, affecting both employees and business owners in the sector.

Paraguay registers few kidnaps annually compared to other regional hotspots; however, sporadic incidents occur across departments bordering Brazil such as Alto Paraná, Amambay and Canindeyú. While only roughly 20% of kidnap victims in Paraguay between January 2022 and May 2025 are foreign nationals, 80% of these are Brazilian nationals. This trend is likely to continue across 2025 as Brazilian criminal groups will continue to target expats living in the country.

The Global Advisor: Spotlight on Latin America | June 2025

Trinidad and Tobago

Criminals refuse to release Venezuelan victim in Petersfield (Chanaguas region) after receiving ransom Criminals kidnapped a 25-year-old Venezuelan national from the car park of a guesthouse in Petersfield (Chaguanas region), forcing her into a vehicle and speeding off. The victim’s partner witnessed the incident and then received multiple calls from the kidnappers, who demanded a ransom payment. He arranged to meet the kidnappers to hand over the ransom on arrival at the agreed upon location, the kidnappers robbed him of the money without releasing the victim. Police confirmed the fate of the victim was unknown.

Control Risks comment

The Northwest of Trinidad accounts for the majority of kidnaps in the country, with the Chaguanas region representing the major hotspot. Incidents in this area increased substantially in 2024 compared to the previous year, and data from the first quarter of 2025 shows this trend is set to continue. Venezuelan expatriates are also sporadically targeted as local kidnappers identify them as lucrative targets.

About Us The Hiscox Crisis Management division serves both corporate and private clients. Our exclusive partnership with Control Risks allows us to combine renowned insurance expertise with unparalleled security risk and crisis management capability to protect what matters most to our clients. We are the global leaders in this sector. Celebrating 30 years in partnership, Hiscox and Control Risks have helped policyholders manage thousands of crisis events, including complex security and integrity issues. Together, we combine our insurance expertise with Control Risks’ capabilities across security risk and crisis management, protecting what matters most to our clients.

Control Risks is a global specialist risk consultancy. We are committed to helping our clients build organisations that are secure, compliant and resilient in an age of ever-changing risk. We believe that responsible risk-taking is at the core of our clients’ success. We have unparalleled experience in helping clients ready themselves for, respond to and recover from challenges and crises that arise in any ambitious organisation seeking to convert risk into opportunity globally. Kidnap & ransom Hiscox has established itself as the world’s leading provider of crisis insurance for the last 25 years, offering financial protection and world-class response services to corporations and private individuals all around the world. Our insurance offering keeps people and businesses safe against the threat of kidnap, extortive threats, malicious detention, hijack and other complex crises. We insure all forms of corporates, from the largest multinationals to the smallest companies, as well as families and some of the wealthiest people in the world whose wealth or fame may attract unwanted attention. Hiscox is the world’s largest provider of crisis insurance, currently underwriting more than half of the industry’s kidnap and ransom insurance premium.

In business since 1901, Hiscox is one of the most trusted and influential Lloyd’s of London syndicates. Whether it’s protecting family homes from a storm surge or hail damage, helping to safeguard blue-chip companies from the crippling financial and reputational costs of a cyber-attack, or working to keep employees safe and businesses operational following a terrorist incident, we continue to innovate to respond to some of the most complex, volatile and emerging risks.

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For further analysis or information please contact the Special Risks Analysis team at Control Risks: specialrisksanalysis@controlrisks.com controlrisks.com

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