Kidnapping in South America

In 2004, South America accounts for 65 percent of the entire world's kidnapping cases.  This is a serious issue in the entire region.  That number has decreased because of increases in kidnappings in other regions of the world since 2004.  Still, large numbers of tourists flock to South America each year.

In 2009, Washington Nationals catcher, Wilson Ramos, was kidnapped at gunpoint outside of his mother's home in Venezuela.  He was rescued two days later.  He was kidnapped by common criminals trying to make some easy money.  Kidnapping committed by common criminals is happening more often than those done by drug cartels or guerilla terrorist organizations in the area.