Ecuador, foreign couple kidnapped for ransom, rescued

While relatively rare, the threat of kidnapping for ransom should always be of concern to expatriates residing in Ecuador. Remember that no matter how much money you may or not have, you will always be considered by criminals to be wealthy and possessing assets. While a kidnapping can happen anywhere in Ecuador, those living in rural areas may be at higher risk. Employees of expatriates should be suspected of involvement in crimes against expatriates because of their familiarity with the victims.
According to lahora.com.ec, a German husband and Costa Rican wife who are residents of Ecuador were abducted in the northwest of Pichincha on February 17, 2011, by two men. The abduction was conducted by 12 individuals who were armed and dressed in military police attire at the couples hacienda in cantón Pedro Vicente Maldonado (km 104 de la vía Calacalí-La Independencia, entrada a Los Laureles). They stated they were former members of FARC and were demanding $100,000 for the couples release. The wife’s brother was tied up and told if he went to the police the couple would be killed. The brother escaped and informed police in Quito. The couple’s vehicle was located by a sattelite tracking sytem. The anti kidnapping unit of the National Police (Unidad Antisecuestro (Unase) de la Policía Nacional). Two subjects were apprehended in Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas. One of the assailants informed police where the couple was being held. The two men arrested are Ecuadorian nationals.

There was no other information as to the other 10 assailants involved in the kidnapping.