The National Citizen Observatory reported that Mexico is now ranked first in kidnappings, with approximately 5 kidnappings occurring each day. The highest numbers are recorded in Reynosa, Cuernavaca, Ciudad Victoria, Morelia, and Villahermosa in the state of Tamaulipas. However, there is also a high percentage of kidnappings in the states of Guerrero, Baja California, Michoacán, and in the Federal District.
Typically, kidnappers target victims with high economic solvency, taking hostage individuals such as businessmen, industrialists, politicians, merchants, ranchers, and artists.
According to data from the Citizen Council for Political Security and Criminal Justice, for every reported kidnapping, five go unreported, primarily because people do not trust the police, who do not provide adequate follow-up on these cases. It is noted that 75% of these cases are resolved with the payment of a ransom. So far, the highest recorded ransom was 50,000,000 pesos in Mexico City.
There are several patterns in kidnappings, which we will outline below:
Express Kidnapping: This type of kidnapping lasts for hours, where the individuals are pressured to withdraw money from ATMs or simply pay a ransom. The kidnappers are often professional and violent, capable of causing moral and psychological harm to their victims.
Collective Kidnapping: While less common, these kidnappings involve multiple hostages to negotiate or demand safe escape routes. Typically, the kidnappers are inexperienced or just common thieves.
Extortion Kidnapping: This aims to obtain cash, usually targeting individuals with high economic status. Finally, there is the Virtual Kidnapping, which occurs when a person is traveling, working, or out for leisure. Kidnappers gather information online through social media, discounts, phone directories, etc.
In Mexico, efforts are being made to combat kidnapping, as individuals should not be deprived of their freedom simply for someone else’s financial gain.
If you or a family member has been a victim of this crime, do not hesitate to contact Lic. Jorge Fernández at 686.2.55.85.32 for assistance with this issue.
