Family of Ecuadorian Soccer Player Rescued from Kidnappers
Quito, Ecuador (AP) — The family of Jackson Rodriguez, a 26-year-old soccer player for Emelec, was rescued from a kidnapping incident in Guayaquil, police reported on Friday. Rodriguez managed to hide under his bed while four armed intruders abducted his wife and their five-year-old son from their home in the Mucho Lote neighborhood on Wednesday.
According to Police Commander Pablo Dávila, the kidnappers demanded a ransom of $500,000 for the pair’s release, which the family chose not to pay. Fortunately, following a police operation late Thursday, authorities located the wife and son in El Fortín, an area known for its high levels of violence, particularly after a massacre claimed 22 lives earlier this year.
This incident occurs amid a state of emergency declared by the Ecuadorian government in nine localities, including Guayas province, to combat the surge of organized crime. The port city of Guayaquil, located 270 kilometers southwest of the capital, Quito, has seen escalating violence linked to drug trafficking, with 2,345 violent deaths reported between January and March alone—742 of those in Guayaquil.
Ecuador has experienced a significant rise in crime over the past four years, with authorities attributing this to organized crime groups. Other athletes have also faced similar dangers; for instance, Liga de Quito player Pedro Perlaza was kidnapped last December but was later rescued.
The successful rescue of Rodriguez’s family highlights ongoing security challenges in Ecuador, where citizens are increasingly alarmed by rampant violence and criminal activity.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
