Mexico ride-hailing drivers targeted in kidnapping and extortion attempts

Ride-hailing drivers in Mexico have been targeted in separate kidnapping and extortion attempts in Puebla and Durango.

In Puebla, a driver was abducted by two individuals posing as passengers. The assailants used a firearm to threaten the victim, steal his vehicle and belongings, and held him captive for approximately five hours. The driver sustained physical injuries during the incident and is currently recovering. The event has heightened security concerns among local transport workers.

In Durango, a DiDi driver named Carlos Rubén “R” narrowly escaped an attempted kidnapping and extortion. After picking up a passenger in the city center, the driver was lured to a dirt road where two armed accomplices awaited. The criminals attempted to extort 50,000 pesos from the driver’s family. However, the driver managed to flee in his vehicle during a moment of distraction and contacted emergency services for assistance.