# Kidnapping and extortion incidents in Latin America

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/kidnapping-and-extortion-incidents-in-latin-america
> Updated: 2026-09-29T20:05:56.000Z. Sources: 19. Developments: 3.

Authorities in Mexico, Ecuador, and Colombia have conducted various operations to address kidnapping and extortion incidents.

In Mexico, municipal cyber police rescued a woman from a virtual kidnapping in Soledad de Graciano Sánchez. In Puebla, three men—identified as Rodrigo “N”, Rosendo “N”, and Efrén “N”—received 50-year prison sentences for kidnapping a truck driver and stealing a vehicle containing six tons of pet food. In Michoacán, Edgar “N” has been formally charged with express kidnapping following an armed incident at an agrochemical business in Zitácuaro. In Veracruz, three individuals, including Abigail “N”, were placed in preventive detention for drug offenses, bribery, and possession of a stolen vehicle.

In Oaxaca, judicial proceedings have advanced against Miguel Sánchez Altamirano, the former mayor of Juchitán de Zaragoza, known as “Quetu”. Following a coordinated operation on September 23 involving the Mexican Navy and National Guard, Sánchez Altamirano and accomplice Carlos Alberto de la Paz López, alias “La Parka”, have been formally charged with aggravated extortion and crimes against the security of the State. They are allegedly linked to “Los Cromos”, an operational arm of the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) suspected of drug trafficking, homicide, kidnapping, and extortion. Authorities are investigating if Sánchez Altamirano used municipal C2 camera systems to alert criminal elements to law enforcement movements. Additionally, Jhon Keny Moreno Segura, the former police commissioner of Juchitán, has been charged for allegedly providing protection to the criminal group. Sánchez Altamirano has been transferred to the El Altiplano federal prison.

In Ecuador, three men were placed in preventive detention after allegedly posing as passengers to kidnap and extort an app-based driver in Quito. Similarly, in Colombia, three individuals were captured in Soacha following the kidnapping and robbery of a ride-hailing driver, who was forced to perform electronic bank transfers before being abandoned.

## Claims

- Miguel Sánchez Altamirano and Carlos Alberto de la Paz López have been formally charged. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- The suspects are allegedly linked to the criminal group Los Cromos, an operational arm of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). (corroborated by 7 sources)
- The defendants face charges of aggravated extortion and crimes against state security. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Former police commissioner Jhon Keny Moreno Segura was also charged for allegedly protecting Los Cromos. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Miguel Sánchez Altamirano was transferred to the El Altiplano federal prison. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Carlos Alberto de la Paz López, known as La Parka, is being held in a federal prison in Veracruz. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The arrests occurred on September 23 during a coordinated operation involving state and federal security forces. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Authorities investigate if the former mayor used municipal security infrastructure to alert criminal groups about police movements. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-29: Juchitán former mayor Miguel Sánchez Altamirano charged with extortion

Former Juchitán mayor Miguel Sánchez Altamirano and several others have been charged in Oaxaca for extortion and ties to the Los Cromos criminal group, linked to the CJNG cartel.

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexican-prosecutors-advance-cases-against-drug-and-kidnapping-suspects

### 2026-09-25: Criminals sentenced or arrested in Mexico and Colombia robberies

Authorities in Mexico and Colombia have taken action against criminal groups involved in cargo theft, express kidnapping, and the armed robbery of a ride-hailing driver.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/criminals-sentenced-or-arrested-in-mexico-and-colombia-robberies

### 2026-09-24: Authorities rescue victims in separate kidnapping and extortion cases

Police in Mexico and Ecuador rescued victims of separate kidnapping and extortion attempts involving a young woman and an app-based driver.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/authorities-rescue-victims-in-separate-kidnapping-and-extortion-cases

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Cite as: Kidnapping and extortion incidents in Latin America. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/kidnapping-and-extortion-incidents-in-latin-america