VIET NAM   12/26/2012

The13-year-old girl from Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi District, who had been held in a Cambodian casino as ransom for her father’s gambling debts for more than a month, was released after successful negotiation between her family and the casino. According to her family, she is in stable condition and has returned to school. Her father is reportedly is being held by the casino operators. (thanhniennews.com, 29 December 2011)

MEXICO   1/13/2012

A 43-year-old businessman who had been kidnapped January 5 for a 200,000 Peso ransom was found dead in Monterrey. The man was abducted from his car dealership in the Los Ebanos Residential Colony of Apodaca and was killed despite his family’s payment of demanded ransom. (cronica.com.mx, 13 January 2012)

COLOMBIA   1/13/2012

A 58-year-old cattle rancher, the brother of a councilor for the Tulua municipality, was kidnapped by a group of armed men in Puerto Frazadas, Valle de Cauca Department. Police are investigating the case. (rcnradio.com, 13 January 2012)

VENEZUELA   1/12/2012

A businessman who was kidnapped by three men outside his store was rescued safely by Aragua Police following a confrontation between police and the kidnappers that left one suspect injured. The man was abducted around 10:00 a.m. local time outside his store in La Chapa when three armed men forced him into his own vehicle and took off toward Pao de Zarate. The victim told authorities that his kidnappers were planning to demand 200,000 Bolivares Fuertes for his release. Witnesses reported the incident to police who intercepted them in the La Candelaria sector and rescued the man, detaining the three suspects. (elsiglo.com.ve, 12 January 2012)

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC   1/11/2012

Residents of Las Praderas, south of Santiago de los Caballeros, reported the kidnapping of a 10-year-old boy whose mother lives in the U.S. The boy was forced into a vehicle by a group of unknown men while on his way to school. While the kidnappers have reportedly contacted the boy’s family, no ransom demand has yet been made. Police are investigating the case. (elnuevodiario.com.do, 11 January 2012)