Venezuela: A Culture of Kidnapping

Miamiherald.com Juan said he had participated in five kidnappings — including one that went fatally wrong. But he said his gang, which has about 15 members, has kidnapped scores of people.

“First we pick the person, like the owner of a bakery or a business owner, and then we follow him for two to three weeks and see where he lives, where he goes shopping, who’s with him, those kind of things,” Juan said as he casually scratched the ears of his black mutt. “Then the day comes and you do what you have to do. You ask for ransom — but you try to get it in less than 24 hours.”

Caracas is a city that seethes with violence. It’s the most homicidal capital on the planet, according to the United Nations, and it’s a hotbed for other crimes including kidnapping. Read Article