Share

AKE releases findings of Q3 Kidnap Report, Somalia worsens but Latin America remains global hotspot

LONDON – While kidnaps in other parts of the world draw the majority of headlines, Latin America continues to be the worst affected region for kidnap for ransom, with Mexico, Venezuela and Colombia remaining the highest risk worldwide. Other countries in the region including Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Central America will continue to present a risk as the activity of organised criminal groups extends across the Caribbean region and along the Pacific coast.

AKE’s kidnap analyst Taryn Evans explains that “as governments across the region continue to restrict the trafficking activities of organised criminal groups, they will be forced to diversify their income, in part through kidnap for ransom.” The greatest risk will continue to be to nationals but foreign personnel operating in high risk areas such as the border regions and certain coastal towns will continue to be in danger.

Evans explained that the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Somalia has also increased the likelihood that aid workers in the area will be targeted. “The abduction of two foreign nationals from coastal resorts in Kenya, who were subsequently transferred to Somalia, suggests a worrying trend in cross-border raids that will see the risk of kidnap for ransom increase in Kenya’s coastal and border regions, especially if a ransom is paid for the one British national still in captivity.”

Evans adds, “The rate of kidnap for ransom in the Middle East has remained largely static and is unlikely to change over the coming months, although the rate of unlawful detainment in those areas experiencing prolonged civil unrest, such as Libya and Yemen, is increasing and will remain a concern.” In Iraq, despite a statistical decrease in the number of kidnaps, Turkish and Bangladeshi nationals are known to now be targeted alongside nationals.

The risk posed to personnel at sea is set to increase as the monsoon season draws to an end. The change in weather conditions will allow pirates to travel further from the coast and spend longer periods of time at sea. While the Somali Waters are still statistically the most dangerous, the security environment in the Gulf of Guinea is set to further deteriorate, especially off the coast of Benin, which has seen a recent spike in activity.

AKE produces a quarterly analysis of the kidnap for ransom risks worldwide. If you would like a free trial of the condensed Kidnap Brief, please enter your details here.

250 views