Three kidnappings in Paraguay with no answers for families

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The case of Felix Urbieta joins that of police officer Edelio Morinigo, kidnapped 7 years ago by the Paraguayan People’s Army (EPP), and that of former vice-president Oscar Denis, taken by force last year by the guerrilla group.

Urbieta’s kidnapping is attributed to a division of the EPP, the Mariscal Lopez Army (EML).

“Today marks 5 years, the 5th anniversary of the kidnapping of our father, we have implored and inquired by all possible means to have some communication with the captors. Anyone who could give news of his whereabouts,” said the rancher’s daughter Liliana Urbieta, reading a statement.

Alejandro Ramos, considered the EML leader, and “his henchmen” are mentioned in the statement as the ones who “took Urbieta away from his family.”

The rancher was 67 years old on October 12, 2016 when he was abducted from his farm in Horqueta, in the department of Concepción (north), where he was staying with his wife.

The family claims that the only evidence of life was received that year and the next, including a video in which Urbieta appears alongside two armed men in camouflage and identified as members of the EML.

Thirteen months ago Oscar Denis, 75, was ambushed by members of the EPP while traveling in a vehicle near his cattle ranch, between the departments of Amambay and Concepcion.

In addition to demanding proof of life from the kidnappers, Denis’ family has focused its criticism on the Mario Abdo Benítez government, which they accuse of “indifference” regarding the situation of the retired politician.

Shortly after the kidnapping, in September 2020, the family claimed to have fulfilled the condition imposed by the EPP for the release: the distribution among peasant communities of food worth US$2 million.

The EPP, which claims to be the standard bearer of the poor peasants, kidnapped police sergeant Edelio Morínigo in 2014 while he was participating in a hunting party.

The armed group proposed for his release in exchange for the release of several of its prisoners, which was rejected by Colorado Party Horacio Cartes’ government. There has been no news of the police officer since then.

Founded in 2008, Paraguayan authorities attribute more than 50 murders to the EPP, as well as kidnappings and extortion of agricultural producers in the north of the country.