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.
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