|
Reports
of Kidnapped Americans
in South America
Colombia gets tough with kidnappers
BBC News, UK - Jun
7, 2008
By Frank Gardner Perched in his high-rise office in the north of Bogota,
Colonel Humberto Guatibonza surveyed the city like an eagle in his eyrie.
...
Rescuing U.S. kidnap victims
in Colombia a dilemma
Feb. 13, 2007
The anniversary of
the kidnapping of three Pentagon contractors comes as Colombia
debates how to retrieve them from rebels.
March
31, 1998
Testimony of Dr. Thomas R. Hargrove:
A Hostage's Experience, and the Kidnap Industry.
Dr. Thomas R. Hargrove was kidnapped by
Colombian Narco-Guerrillas:
January 31, 1993 · Pucuro, Panama
Three America missionaries were kidnaped by FARC. Efforts to determine the fate of the
missionaries continues. Several foreign governments have committed to pressing the FARC
for a full accounting of the men's whereabouts.
February 25, 1999 · Arauca
Department, Colombia
Three U.S. citizens were kidnaped near the Colombia-Venezuela border and later murdered by
guerrillas belonging to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The Americans,
of the Pacific Cultural Conservation group, were abducted by guerrillas on a road between
the towns of Cubara and Saravena in the department of Arauca. The victims were associated
with non-government organizations working with the indigenous U'wa tribe in Colombia. On
March 4, 1999, the three Americans were found murdered execution-style in a remote area of
southeastern Venezuela, near the Arauca River.
March 23, 1999 · Boyaca,
Colombia
ELN guerrillas kidnaped a U.S. citizen who was visiting relatives in the Boyaca Province.
The American was released unharmed by his ELN captors on July 20, 1999, following the
payment of a ransom.
April 12, 1999 · Bucaramanga,
Colombia
ELN rebels skyjacked Avianca Airlines Flight 9463, carrying one U.S. citizen, an Italian
missionary, an Ecuadorian nun, one Venezuelan citizen, and 42 Colombian nationals. The
airplane was hijacked shortly after takeoff by several ELN guerrillas dressed in business
suits. The plane was forced to land at a clandestine airstrip, where armed ELN rebels were
waiting to ferry away the passengers. Hostages were released sporadically throughout the
year, including the American who was let go by his ELN captors on October 2, 1999.
May 13, 1999 · Yopal, Colombia
A U.S. citizen employed as a helicopter mechanic was kidnaped by four heavily armed gunmen
in Yopal, approximately 150 miles northeast of Bogota. The victim was abducted at
approximately 8:30 p.m., shortly after catching a taxi outside a Yopal hotel. The American
was released August 5, 2000.
May 30, 1999 · Cali, Colombia
Approximately 45 heavily armed ELN guerrillas attacked a Roman Catholic church in the Cali
suburb of Ciudad Jardin and kidnaped over 180 persons, including six U.S. citizens. The
guerrillas, dressed in army fatigues and posing as soldiers, ordered the worshippers to
leave the building because of a bomb threat. The parishioners were then loaded onto
trucks, ostensibly to be driven to safety. The rebels shot and killed a civilian bodyguard
outside the church and at least three guerrillas died in shootouts as police and soldiers
moved to track down the kidnapers. The ELN guerrillas released approximately 80 persons,
including three U.S. citizens, later that day. The rebels continued to release hostages
sporadically throughout the year. On June 15, 1999, ELN guerrillas released 33 hostages,
including two U.S. citizens, and the last American was released on October 13, 1999.
June 6, 1999 · Cienaga el Torno, Colombia
ELN rebels kidnaped nine persons, including one U.S. citizen, in Cienaga el Torno (located
15 kilometers from Barranquilla). The American was released unharmed by the guerrillas on
September 24, 1999, near Barranquilla.
June 29, 1999 · Antioquia
Department, Colombia
Six members of the FARC kidnaped a U.S. citizen from his home in the Antioquia Department
near Medellin. The guerrillas gained access to the American's residence by pretending to
be Colombian army soldiers. The U.S. citizen was released unharmed by the FARC on July 26,
1999, in an area 80 miles west of Medellin.
August 31, 1999 · Anchicaya,
Colombia
FARC rebels stormed the Pacific Energy Enterprise (EPSA) hydroelectric plant in Anchicaya,
detaining 164 persons and four journalists. No one was injured in the attack and a number
of hostages were released unharmed later that day. No ransom was demanded of the plant,
which is jointly run by U.S., Colombian, and Venezuelan companies. Instead, the FARC
insisted that the firms reduce their power rates by 30-40 percent. Fifty-eight hostages
were released on September 4, 1999, and the remainder were let go the following day on
September 5, 1999.
September 11, 1999 · Sucumbios
Province, Ecuador
A U.S. citizen was among 12 Westerners kidnaped by approximately 25 heavily armed,
uniformed rebels near a highway between Tarapoa and Lago Agrio. The other hostages
included three Spanish nationals, one Belgian citizen, and seven Canadian nationals, who
along with the American, were employed with a Canadian oil firm. The unidentified rebels
also killed a solider in the process. One Spanish hostage was released on September 26,
1999, and the two other Spaniards and the Belgian were let go on October 9, 1999. The U.S.
citizen and the seven Canadian nationals were released unharmed on December 19, 1999.
Source: State Department
Summary
of Kidnap & Ransom Insurance Plan
To obtain custom quote, please
Click Here.
|
We
at Sunburst International Risk Management
are dedicated to
providing you trusted source for global risk management consulting services
and international insurance protections to individuals, families, groups, and
international employees, contractors, business travelers, and corporations.
We offer high quality
medical, life, disability,
high-limit accident, kidnap & ransom insurance including special coverage
for acts of war and acts of terrorism. We are proud to
provide superior global protection and peace of mind to
international travelers in over 100 countries. You can get instant
quotes and purchase online for many global insurance plans through our
secure system on our website.
We also are committed to keep international
travelers and businesses informed about worldwide
travel alerts and global safety & security risks with current and reliable
international safety & security news briefs that are updated frequently on
our website.
