Warden Message
Taxi Kidnappings and Crime in Coastal Ecuador
June 11, 2010
The U.S. Embassy in Quito and U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil wish to remind
U.S. citizens traveling to and living in coastal Ecuador of ongoing safety and
security concerns related to taxi kidnappings in the cities of Guayaquil and
Manta.
The U.S. Government continues to receive an alarming number of reports of U.S.
citizens who are kidnapped and robbed in taxis in Guayaquil and Manta, incidents
known locally as "secuestro express," or "express kidnappings." Taxi
kidnappings have also been reported in Machala, Playas, and other coastal towns.
Typically, U.S. citizen travelers become victims of "secuestro express" after
hailing a taxi cab on the street. Shortly after entering a taxi, the vehicle is
intercepted by armed accomplices of the taxi driver, who is normally complicit
with the crime. The accomplices enter the vehicle, threaten passengers with
weapons (typically guns and/or knives), rob passengers of their personal
belongings, and then drive to various ATMs to withdraw money using the victims'
debit cards. In some instances, victims of "secuestro express" have faced
physical violence and/or have been sexually assaulted.
"Express kidnappings" have occurred even in the more affluent areas of
Guayaquil, and target both local citizens and international visitors. Incidents
involving U.S. citizens are most frequently reported at the north end of the
Malecón 2000 near Las Peñas, outside of the San Marino Mall, and in the Urdesa
restaurant/bar district, but have been reported in all areas of the city.
Due to the seriousness of this crime, all personnel working for the U.S.
Diplomatic Mission in Guayaquil have been prohibited from riding in taxis hailed
off the street, even yellow taxis. Yellow taxis, local buses, and other forms
of public transportation are expressly off-limits to U.S. diplomatic personnel
in Guayaquil. As an alternative, employees have been told to use their personal
vehicles, or to call one of the vetted taxi services available on the U.S.
Consulate General's website: http://guayaquil.usconsulate.gov
It is vital that U.S. citizens understand the risks associated with using taxis
in Guayaquil, how best to avoid dangerous situations, and who to contact if one
becomes a victim of crime. U.S. citizens are urged not to hail taxis on the
street, and to exercise caution when selecting a taxi in all areas of Guayaquil,
regardless of location and/or time of day. We strongly encourage U.S. citizens
in the Guayaquil area to use only vetted, radio-dispatched taxis, such as those
listed on the U.S. Consulate General's website.
If you find yourself involved in a taxi kidnapping and/or robbery, it is best to
be non-confrontational and cooperate with the perpetrator. Nothing material is
as valuable as your life. Following a criminal incident, U.S. citizens are
encouraged to file a "denuncia," or "police report," with the local police and
to inform the American Citizens Services Office at the U.S. Consulate General in
Guayaquil.
* * *
Taxi Kidnappings and Crime in Coastal Ecuador
June 11, 2010
The U.S. Embassy in Quito and U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil wish to remind
U.S. citizens traveling to and living in coastal Ecuador of ongoing safety and
security concerns related to taxi kidnappings in the cities of Guayaquil and
Manta.
The U.S. Government continues to receive an alarming number of reports of U.S.
citizens who are kidnapped and robbed in taxis in Guayaquil and Manta, incidents
known locally as "secuestro express," or "express kidnappings." Taxi
kidnappings have also been reported in Machala, Playas, and other coastal towns.
Typically, U.S. citizen travelers become victims of "secuestro express" after
hailing a taxi cab on the street. Shortly after entering a taxi, the vehicle is
intercepted by armed accomplices of the taxi driver, who is normally complicit
with the crime. The accomplices enter the vehicle, threaten passengers with
weapons (typically guns and/or knives), rob passengers of their personal
belongings, and then drive to various ATMs to withdraw money using the victims'
debit cards. In some instances, victims of "secuestro express" have faced
physical violence and/or have been sexually assaulted.
"Express kidnappings" have occurred even in the more affluent areas of
Guayaquil, and target both local citizens and international visitors. Incidents
involving U.S. citizens are most frequently reported at the north end of the
Malecón 2000 near Las Peñas, outside of the San Marino Mall, and in the Urdesa
restaurant/bar district, but have been reported in all areas of the city.
Due to the seriousness of this crime, all personnel working for the U.S.
Diplomatic Mission in Guayaquil have been prohibited from riding in taxis hailed
off the street, even yellow taxis. Yellow taxis, local buses, and other forms
of public transportation are expressly off-limits to U.S. diplomatic personnel
in Guayaquil. As an alternative, employees have been told to use their personal
vehicles, or to call one of the vetted taxi services available on the U.S.
Consulate General's website: http://guayaquil.usconsulate.gov
It is vital that U.S. citizens understand the risks associated with using taxis
in Guayaquil, how best to avoid dangerous situations, and who to contact if one
becomes a victim of crime. U.S. citizens are urged not to hail taxis on the
street, and to exercise caution when selecting a taxi in all areas of Guayaquil,
regardless of location and/or time of day. We strongly encourage U.S. citizens
in the Guayaquil area to use only vetted, radio-dispatched taxis, such as those
listed on the U.S. Consulate General's website.
If you find yourself involved in a taxi kidnapping and/or robbery, it is best to
be non-confrontational and cooperate with the perpetrator. Nothing material is
as valuable as your life. Following a criminal incident, U.S. citizens are
encouraged to file a "denuncia," or "police report," with the local police and
to inform the American Citizens Services Office at the U.S. Consulate General in
Guayaquil.
* * *
