Businessman kidnapped for 60 days on Colombian border freed in Ecuador

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Ecuadorian authorities informed this Friday of the release of a businessman kidnapped for 60 days in a jungle area bordering Colombia, an operation that resulted in the arrest of three Ecuadorians and two Colombians.

The Minister of Government, Alexandra Vela, said in an appearance that the businessman and former councilman of the city of Ibarra and identified as Carlos Arias, “is in perfect condition” after his rescue by members of the National Directorate specializing in solving cases of kidnapping and extortion (UNASE).

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For her part, the general commander of the Ecuadorian Police, Tannya Varela, gave some details of the kidnapping, which took place in the province of Imbabura on June 5.

Arias was intercepted when he was cycling on the roads of Atuntaqui, and his captors kidnapped him in a vehicle.

Varela added that for 15 days, the kidnappers made him walk through jungle areas to disorient him to believe that his destination was Colombia and that he spent 60 days chained and tied to a tree in a makeshift house.

This place was located near a road in El Chical, near the city of Tulcán, in the Ecuadorian province of Carchi, on the border with the neighboring country.

Shortly after the businessman’s disappearance, UNASE contacted the family and initiated an investigation that led to his whereabouts and the arrest of three suspects, one of Ecuadorian nationality and two from Colombia.

“The Ecuadorian has three previous convictions, and one of the two Colombians is a former Colombian police officer who has been discharged,” said the commanding general.

The investigation into the case is still open to determine whether the criminal organization has been involved in other similar crimes. The detainees were handed over to the competent authorities and the evidence, including a weapon, ammunition, and the kidnapping vehicle, are in police custody.

The motive for the kidnapping and whether the kidnappers demanded a ransom have not been revealed. After the appearance of the authorities, the businessman was able to meet with his relatives, who were visibly moved by the meeting.