Brazil led the list with a total of 4,390 kidnapping cases in the latest available data. Ecuador followed with 1,246 occurrences in 2022. On the flip side, there was only three reported kidnapping in the Antigua and Barbuda during that year. Homicides, another recurrent problem in Latin America Among the region's prevalent offenses, intentional homicide emerged as one of the main concerns in the region. Nonetheless, the rates vary among the different countries. Brazil leads the ranking of the most number of homicides in Latin America, as well as being the most populated country by far. On the other hand, Jamaica holds the top position according to the homicide rate, reporting nearly 61 instances per 100,000 inhabitants in 2023. Nevertheless, even with these varying homicide rates across countries, four out of five of the world's most perilous urban centers are situated in Mexico, with Colima leading the pack at a 2024 homicide rate of 140 per 100,000 inhabitants.

Cost of violence in Central America Following criminal acts, the responsibility for addressing the consequences falls squarely on the government, causing government expenditure to surge, called the cost of violence. Notably, Panama is more severely impacted in Central America, with the economic cost of violence per inhabitant accounting for over 3,771 U.S. dollars in 2022. In terms of a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), El Salvador takes the first place with a value of 15 percent of their GDP.

Kidnap and Ransom Services Market Outlook

According to our latest research, the global kidnap and ransom services market size reached USD 1.92 billion in 2024, with a robust year-on-year growth driven by escalating security concerns and geopolitical instability. The market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 6.4% from 2025 to 2033, reaching an estimated USD 3.36 billion by the end of the forecast period. The surge in market value is attributed to heightened awareness among corporations and individuals about the risks associated with international travel, rising incidents of organized crime, and the increasing adoption of comprehensive risk mitigation solutions worldwide. As per the latest research, the demand for specialized kidnap and ransom services continues to rise, underscoring the necessity for tailored solutions that address evolving threats in both developed and emerging economies.

One of the primary growth factors propelling the kidnap and ransom services market is the increasing frequency of kidnapping incidents, especially in regions with volatile socio-political environments. Multinational corporations, non-governmental organizations, and high-net-worth individuals are particularly vulnerable, prompting a surge in demand for risk consulting, crisis management, and insurance services tailored to kidnap and ransom scenarios. The proliferation of international business operations and the expansion of companies into high-risk areas have further increased the exposure to kidnapping threats, necessitating a proactive approach to employee safety and asset protection. As organizations prioritize duty of care obligations, they are investing in comprehensive kidnap and ransom solutions to safeguard their personnel and maintain business continuity.

Another significant driver for the kidnap and ransom services market is the growing sophistication of criminal networks and the evolving tactics employed by perpetrators. Modern kidnappers leverage advanced technologies, such as encrypted communications and digital surveillance, to orchestrate abductions and extortion schemes. This has led to the emergence of specialized service providers offering integrated solutions encompassing risk assessment, intelligence gathering, rapid response, and negotiation support. The increasing complexity of kidnap scenarios requires a multidisciplinary approach, combining legal expertise, psychological support, and crisis communication strategies. As a result, service providers are continuously innovating their offerings to stay ahead of emerging threats and deliver effective incident resolution.

Moreover, the rise in global travel and the expansion of expatriate communities have amplified the need for kidnap and ransom services across various industry verticals. Sectors such as oil and gas, healthcare, financial institutions, and travel and tourism are particularly exposed due to the nature of their operations and the locations they serve. The growing trend of cross-border assignments and humanitarian missions in conflict-prone areas has further heightened the demand for comprehensive risk management solutions. Insurance companies are also playing a pivotal role by partnering with security consultants to offer kidnap and ransom coverage, enabling organizations to transfer financial risks while ensuring access to expert crisis response services.

From a regional perspective, North America and Europe currently dominate the kidnap and ransom services market, accounting for a significant share of global revenue due to the high concentration of multinational corporations and stringent regulatory frameworks governing employee safety. However, the Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa regions are witnessing the fastest growth, fueled by rising geopolitical tensions, economic disparities, and an increasing number of foreign investments in high-risk territories. Latin America also remains a critical market, given the persistent threat of organized crime and the prevalence of kidnapping incidents in countries such as Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia. The regional outlook highlights the need for adaptive strategies and localized expertise to address the unique challenges faced by organizations operating in diverse environments.

Service Type Analysis

The kidnap and ransom services market is segmented by service type, encompassing risk consulting, crisis management, response services, insurance, and other specialized offerings. Risk consulting</b&g

Brésil: Kidnappings per 100,000 people: Pour cet indicateur, The UN office on drugs and crime fournit des données pour la Brésil de 2006 à 2013. La valeur moyenne pour Brésil pendant cette période était de 0.2 kidnappings per 100,000 people avec un minimum de 0.1 kidnappings per 100,000 people en 2008 et un maximum de 0.3 kidnappings per 100,000 people en 2006.

Abstract Spatial practices and resistance processes play an important role in the organization of a city. In this context, we propose a study aimed at understanding the spatial practices of ruptures imbricated in the process of resistance manifested in the kidnapping of an arts organization, the April Exhibition (Salão de Abril), which is the most important art exhibition in the city of Fortaleza, Brazil. To this purpose, we used a mobile ethnography approach to single out some of the spatial practices regarding the arts organization under study. The main results reveal a network of rupture practices, which is intertwined with resistance processes in a dynamic of constitutive mutuality. This network highlights the kidnapping as a bridge to reach and include different spaces of the city that had not been practiced by the former organizers. Thus, the research contributes to an enlargement of the interlaced debate of practices, space, ruptures and resistance in the contexts of the city organizing and the Management and Organizational Studies.

This dataset documents the public notice of 660 Free African “disappearances,” including flights, kidnappings, thefts, and “seductions,” published in various newspapers of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil between March 1835 and August 1863. The dataset draws from the three main dailies of the Brazilian capital circulating in the middle decades of the nineteenth century—Correio Mercantil e Instructivo, Politico, Universal; Diário do Rio de Janeiro; and Jornal do Commercio—and selectively from the short-lived O Despertador. All data was extracted from digitized newspaper sources searched online from the Hemeroteca Digital, Fundação Biblioteca Nacional. Each row of the dataset draws from one disappearance event. The data extracted isolate by column the date(s) and source(s) of the public notice(s); the date disappearance; the given name, “nation” (nação), sex, and reported age of the disappeared Free African; the name of the disappeared African's concessionaire; and, the location(s) of disappearance and/or residence. The textual columns “Disappeared African Description” and “Disappeared African Clothing and Belongings” transcribe from the original key passages of the disappeared African’s clothing and belongings as well as physical appearance and demeanor.

Brasil: Raptos por cada 100.000 pessoas: Para este indicador, fornecemos dados para Brasil de 2006 a 2013. O valor médio por Brasil durante este período foi 0.2 kidnappings per 100,000 people com o mínimo de 0.1 kidnappings per 100,000 people em 2008 e o máximo de 0.3 kidnappings per 100,000 people em 2006. Os dados mais recentes de 2013 são 0.2 kidnappings per 100,000 people. Para efeito de comparação, a média mundial em 2013 com base em 83 países é 1.7 kidnappings per 100,000 people.