Countries where you are likely to get kidnapped as a tourist

The highest number of kidnap victims in Nigeria, about 605, was recorded in February

PRETORIA, August 15 (ANA) – Travelling is a good way to disconnect you from your daily routine and take a break from a stressful life, however, there are certain places or countries that are dangerous for tourists because of levels of crime, terrorism, civil unrest and kidnapping.

Africa comprises 54 countries, very diverse from each other, among which you can find some very safe places to visit, but there are those which are considered dangerous for tourists and even for its own citizens.

According to the Global Peace Index, the worst are South Sudan, Somalia, Libya, Central African Republic (CAR), Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Nigeria.

In Nigeria, kidnappings have become so rampant that bandits brazenly storm schools and kidnap school kids for ransom.

African countries are not the only ones mired in such scandal, other continents such as North America have a list of countries where tourists are not safe. Latin America remains one the most dangerous places for kidnapping, with Mexico being the highest kidnap threat.

Mexico

According to Statista, a German company specialising in market and consumer data. In 2020, the state of Veracruz occupied the second place in number of kidnapping cases in Mexico, counting a total of 122 occurrences, only second to the State of Mexico, with 155 kidnappings in the same year. In that year, a total of 831 kidnapping cases were reported in Mexico.

The kidnappings don’t discriminate from occupations, race, age, gender, and nationality.

Haiti

Haiti is also one of the places where chances of being kidnapped as a tourist are high. According to the United Nations, in 2020 kidnappings tripled to 234 cases compared to 2019.

The Human Rights Analysis and Research in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, said the real figures are likely much higher because many Haitians don’t report abductions, fearing retribution from criminal gangs.

Brazil

According to Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), kidnappings are a frequent occurrence in Brazil. Foreign visitors of all nationalities have been victims. Criminals most often target their victims due to perceived wealth and lack of awareness. Kidnappings for ransom is a major source of income for criminal gangs that rely on ransom to finance, OSAC said in it’s report.

Columbia

Columbia is one of the top countries where it’s most likely to get kidnapped by the guerrilla if you go on a hike. According to SRM Insights, militant groups like the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN), and dissident members of the now-disbanded Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC), have been known to carry out kidnappings for financial reasons.

The global intelligence company said their motivations have included kidnappings for political leverage or the release of detained group members, as well as to finance their ongoing insurgency through ransom demands.

Venezuela

Like Colombia, the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN), and dissident members of the now-disbanded Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC), were the ones conducting most of the kidnappings.

OSAC said US Embassy employees did not travel to certain territories in the country without prior authorisation because of safety and security concerns.

To avoid being a target of kidnappers when travelling abroad is to take basic security precautions, and always maintain situational awareness.

Also keep low profile attire which will likely attract attention, also steer away from showing off expensive designer brands. Instead, dress down and try to blend in with the local populace.

Its also advisable to travel in groups and be in large crowds as opposed to being alone which increases chances of being an easy target.

– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Naomi Mackay