From rogue governments to terrorist organizations and pirates, a new political economy of kidnapping, hostages, and ransom payments has emerged. Here's how it works.
Oh so depressing and yet so very real. This happens close to home (Trinidad) where kids are often taken hostage whose parents are perceived to have money, but mostly target Trinidadian’s who live and work in the US and UK (perceived to have more money). It is why it is not safe for my daughter to visit her grandmother in Trinidad as she is a big target. It never was that way more than 20 years ago, but with the chaos that is Venezuela across the water (a mere 6 miles at the closest point) and rampant crime and corruption in Trinidad, it has become all too common.
Oh so depressing and yet so very real. This happens close to home (Trinidad) where kids are often taken hostage whose parents are perceived to have money, but mostly target Trinidadian’s who live and work in the US and UK (perceived to have more money). It is why it is not safe for my daughter to visit her grandmother in Trinidad as she is a big target. It never was that way more than 20 years ago, but with the chaos that is Venezuela across the water (a mere 6 miles at the closest point) and rampant crime and corruption in Trinidad, it has become all too common.
Then there's the rampant kidnapping in Mexico and some South American countries.