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Kidnap
&
Ransom
in Honduras According to
the U.S Embassy in Hoduras,
kidnapping is a
serious problem. The following briefing addresses the threat, describes who is targeted,
and suggests countermeasures.
Definitions
Honduran authorities narrowly define "kidnapping" as "abduction for
ransom." An act of abduction is termed a kidnapping only after ransom has been
requested. As a result, official statistics do not include numerous abductions for other
purposes, such as rape, revenge or murder.
Victim Profiles:
1996-2001 According to security authorities, there were at least 60 kidnappings during
this period. The real numbers are undoubtedly higher, since this figure does not include
unreported cases that were quietly resolved by ransom payments. Over a quarter of the
victims were so-called "turcos" - Hondurans of Arab descent - who are
disproportionately targeted due to their ability to pay discreetly with little or no
police involvement. Two of the victims were resident foreigners who may have held dual
Honduran citizenship. Six reportedly died, whether from pre-existing medical conditions, a
lack of access to medication, or in botched kidnapping attempts.
At least two escaped. Police suspect that at least three cases are examples of
"self-kidnapping" - an attempt to collect money from an insurance company,
family members or business associates. Five people are still missing in what may have been
abduction/murders or executions rather than kidnappings, per se. Sometimes family members
are reticent to accept that a relative who has been "kidnapped" may have been
murdered and instead hope that they are still alive in captivity.
Targeting
Kidnapping is all about money. Ability and willingness to pay are critical factors in the
selection of targets, which are increasingly vulnerable family members rather than
well-protected principals. While heads of household tend to have bodyguards, secure
transportation and well-guarded homes and offices, their family members - and in
particular their young daughters - are more accessible, easier to control when taken, and
less likely to be confused with bodyguards or drivers, thereby reducing the risk of
targeting the wrong person (as happened in one well-publicized case). Taking a family
member also leaves the principal free to negotiate for his or her release. In fact,
sometimes one spouse is targeted so that the other may arrange and raise money for ransom.
Family Members
In Central America, the terms "niece," "nephew" and "cousin"
are used very loosely, and can refer to quite distant relatives within an extended family.
As a result, even people who are not close relatives of the principal can still be
considered fair game by kidnappers.
The Kidnappers
The most successful kidnappers operating in San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa consist of
unrelated, closely knit criminal groups that may include former members of the police and
military.
It is also possible that corrupt elements within the current security establishment may be
involved. Victims are carefully chosen, surveilled and abducted in well-choreographed
operations employing multiple vehicles, lookouts, armed teams, cell phones and safe
houses. The most professional groups utilize multiple digital cellular phones for brief
calls. In cases of kidnap for ransom, contact with the family is usually initiated within
one to three days, and family members are instructed to not contact the police. While the
kidnappers' goal is to obtain money, they will kill a victim if threatened or if faced
with the need to escape.
Negotiations
Negotiations may be conducted by a senior family member, by the Catholic Church
(especially in San Pedro Sula), or - far less frequently - by offshore corporate security
or insurance company representatives. The amount paid is inevitably less than what the
kidnappers first demanded. If the victim has kidnap insurance, insurance company
representatives will work closely with the family to negotiate payment.
Insurance
Kidnap insurance, including investigative and negotiation support, is available from a few
companies that specialize in this type of coverage, and is typically purchased by a few
wealthy families and corporations operating overseas. For obvious reasons, the existence
of such a policy should be kept totally secret. Individuals have been targeted
specifically because they were known to carry kidnap insurance.
Security Resources
The Investigative Police (DGIC) have primary investigative responsibility for kidnappings,
and recently formed an elite unit that focuses exclusively on this category of crime. As
of this writing, the unit is untested. The DGIC is supported by the Preventive (uniform)
Police and Honduran Military Intelligence (C-2). In general, the security forces are
under-staffed and under-funded, with about 5,500 police officers for a country of 6
million inhabitants. Tegucigalpa has 1200 police for one million residents and San Pedro
Sula has less than a thousand for 700,000. Honduras has one of the lowest per capita
ratios of police in Latin America and the successful case closed/solved rate for criminal
investigations is said to be 1.5-3 percent. By comparison Guatemala is 1.5-2 and Texas 85
percent.
Security Consultants
There are several international security firms that will perform investigations and
provide other security services - including kidnap negotiations - for a price. The cost is
not insignificant: anywhere from 1,500 to 2,000 USD a day for an initial minimum of ten
days, plus travel and expenses, for one consultant. Most security consultants are employed
by insurance companies who include such services as part of their coverage.
The FBI
The FBI will offer to assist local authorities when an U.S. citizen is kidnapped or the
victim of a terrorist attack, but it will become involved only at the official invitation
of the host government under local law. The FBI does not have the legal authority to
conduct independent investigations or to attempt to rescue victims.
Source: U.S.
Embassy in Honduras
Summary
of Kidnap & Ransom Insurance Plan
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