While the odds of you getting kidnapped on vacation are about as good as
catching an on-time flight from O'Hare, if it happens you're probably
not gonna have Liam Neeson around to
kill half of France
in order to rescue you. Sure, the countries with the highest kidnapping
rates are typically only places you'd visit if you were a defense
contractor, but there are some vacation nations where kidnapping is as
popular as fruity drinks and three-for-$10 t-shirts.
Here's a quick guide to seven of them, and what to expect should you find yourself abducted.
MEXICO (1,583 kidnappings in 2013, although as many as 99% may be going unreported)
Where you're getting kidnapped: Anywhere, really, but it’s most common in border cities like Juarez, Tijuana, and Tampico.
Who’s getting kidnapped: Mexico is a fairly
equal-opportunity country when it comes to stealing people, though the
more-publicized and brutal incidents mostly involve locals, not
tourists.
Who’s doing the kidnapping: Unless you’re an
international drug mule (or a guy in an RV with Jennifer Aniston
pretending to be one) the cartels will likely leave you alone. It’s the
random street thugs and rogue cab drivers that you're worried about.
How they're kidnapping you: The
majority of American kidnappings in Mexico involve ATM holdups, where
tourists are kept for a few days while they withdraw as much money as
possible. "
Express kidnappings”
can be common as well, and involve being held until a family member
pays a ransom. So be sure to buy everyone nice presents before you
leave.
How to avoid It: Stick to the resort areas and beaches
in whatever city you're visiting. If the lure of the donkey show is just
TOO much for you, make sure you stay on well-lit streets, and don’t
hail “unofficial” taxis to save a few bucks.
HAITI (162 in 2012, down from 720 in the mid 2000s)
Where you're getting kidnapped: Unless you’re at a resort, pretty much anywhere.
Who’s getting kidnapped: A
2012 US Travel Advisory
warned tourists that “No one is safe from kidnapping, regardless of
occupation, nationality, race, gender, or age”. However, the vast
majority of kidnapping victims in Haiti are Haitians.
Who’s kidnapping you: Haiti has historically been home
to kidnapping rings who grab political, social, and business rivals, as
well as their families. Recently though, it’s been a more ragtag
operation of disorganized street criminals.
How they're kidnapping you: Anything
and everything. Haitian kidnappings are shrouded in more secrecy than in
other countries, but the garden-variety “express kidnappings” are also
more rare than the old held-for-ransom-in-a-slum type.
How to avoid It: If you’re going to Haiti, take your resort’s shuttle directly to and from...well, anywhere. If you
must see the cities, hire a trusted local guide.
BRAZIL (
around 1,000 kidnappings in 2012)
Where you're getting kidnapped: Mostly in major cities like
Sao Paolo and Rio de Janiero.
Who’s getting kidnapped: Wealthy businessmen, their family members, and -- in an odd trend a few years back -- soccer moms. Or at least the
mothers of professional soccer players. Tourists, for the most part, are left alone.
Who’s doing the kidnapping: Mostly poor residents of the cities’ notorious
favelas.
How they're kidnapping you: Unlike
drug-motivated kidnappings, almost all abductions in Brazil are
financially motivated. Which means if you're “express kidnapped” and the
abductors realize you’re worth more than your ATM card, they’ll keep
you until a ransom is paid.
How to avoid it: Kidnappers admit to targeting people
who are both well dressed and appear not to speak Portuguese. So instead
of dropping $500 on that Gucci shirt, perhaps put it towards Rosetta
Stone.
PHILIPPINES (
150 kidnappings reported last year)
Where you're getting kidnapped: In the southern part of
the country, particularly the Zamboanga region, SW Mindanao, and the
Sulu archipelago. Mostly the parts with all the pretty beaches.
Who’s getting kidnapped: Primarily
foreign tourists from China, Europe, Australia, and in some cases the United States.
Who’s doing the kidnapping: Terror groups like
Abu Sayyaf
are responsible for many Philippine kidnappings. Pirates cruising the
Sulu Sea have also been known to snatch people from resorts and beaches.
How they're kidnapping you: While most abductees are returned unharmed, some terror demands have extended beyond money and led to
hostages being beheaded when the government refuses to cooperate.
How to avoid It: The northern and central parts of the Philippines are fairly safe for visitors, so avoid the south and you should be fine.
INDIA (
2,975 kidnappings in 2010)
Where you're getting kidnapped: Depends who you are.
Child abductions are a major epidemic
in India and can occur right in the family's home. The more traditional
adult-nappings, however, happen primarily on streets in major cities.
Who’s getting kidnapped: Mostly children, but as
India’s economy has grown, middle-class Indians have become a bigger
target. Foreign and tourist abductions are rare.
Who’s doing the kidnapping: Indian kidnappings are not
particularly well-organized, and often used by the poor as a way to
score quick money; could be a street vendor, could be a typical street
criminal.
How they're kidnapping you: Indian
kidnappers don’t have much interest in killing you, and their ransoms
are usually pretty low. And negotiable. Assuming your family is willing
to pay and not still upset about the argument you started at
Thanksgiving dinner, you
should be released within a few days.
How to avoid It: Visitors aren’t usually targets, but
take precautions. And don’t flaunt your iPod Shuffle, or any expensive
items you may be carrying.
COLOMBIA (
292 reported kidnappings in 2013)
Where you're getting kidnapped: Rural areas like mountain roads, jungles, rivers, and plantations. Stick to the cities and you’re usually OK.
Who’s getting kidnapped: Not nearly as many people as in years past, but mostly Colombians with the means to pay a ransom.
Tourists are at risk, as well; be vigilant when traveling the campo.
Who’s doing the kidnapping: The Revolutionary Armed
Forces of Colombia (FARC), a guerrilla group responsible for 30 percent
of the 29,000-or-so kidnappings over the last 40 years, denounced the
practice as part of
peace talks in 2012. But some rogue factions still do it, as does the National Liberation Army (ELN).
How they're kidnapping you: Unlike urban kidnappers in
other countries, these jungle-based guerilla outfits wander the
countryside, taking you with them until either the ransom is paid or
they get tired of dragging you along. You won’t be tortured, and you’ll
be fed, but hopefully your wore your most comfortable Rockports as you
may be trekking through the jungle for months.
How to avoid It: If you visit Colombia, go with someone
from the area. That or make local friends pronto. While the cities are
much safer, they’re still not immune from kidnapping, so sticking to the
more-reputable bars, clubs, and restaurants will ensure you get home
safe.
VENEZUELA (
An estimated 2,000 kidnappings annually, although the government stopped reporting statistics in 2005)
Where you're getting kidnapped: Anywhere. Venezuela is now considered the most dangerous country in Latin America, and its capital city, Caracas, has
one of the highest murder rates in the world.
Who’s getting kidnapped: Mostly
middle and upper-class Venezuelans, as many of the foreign visitors are business people traveling with armed guards.
Who’s doing the kidnapping: When the late President
Hugo Chavez released thousands of violent criminals in the early 2000s,
many formed professional gangs who use kidnapping for ransom as their
primary source of income.
How they're kidnapping you: The Venezuelan version of
“express kidnapping” involves being carjacked and forced to visit as
many ATMs as you can (as well charging large ticket items from local
stores on your credit card) before the kidnappers abscond with your
wheels. Gangs also engage in “virtual kidnapping,” during which they
disconnect your phone service (or ask to
use your cell phone) and call Mom claiming to have taken you hostage.
How to avoid It: While the promise of the
best breakfast in the world might be tempting, just don’t go. If you can’t
find an arepa in your own city,
Miami is a much safer option.
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