In a Concerning development that underscores the escalating crime wave in Ecuador, Colin Armstrong, the British Honorary Consul in the coastal city of Guayaquil, has been kidnapped under mysterious circumstances. Armstrong, who also owns an agricultural business, was abducted from his farm in the Baba area of Los Rios province, southwest Ecuador, in the early hours, as reported by the police on Saturday.
British Honorary Consul to Ecuador Colin Armstrong-Source: X
The alarming incident involved Armstrong and his wife being taken away to an unknown location in the consul’s own vehicle, which was later found abandoned. This news was confirmed by sources including France Press and The Sun newspaper. Following the kidnapping, the Armstrong residence was reportedly ransacked and vandalized by the perpetrators.
🇪🇨🇬🇧⚠️| URGENTE: Secuestraron en Ecuador al cónsul honorario del Reino Unido en Guayaquil.
➡️ Colin Armstrong fue secuestrado este sábado en la provincia de Los Ríos, indicaron autoridades locales.
➡️ Según la Policía, unos 15 hombres armados entraron y se lo llevaron junto a… pic.twitter.com/MuusDbitqM
— Radar Internacional (@RadarInt_) December 16, 2023
Ecuador has witnessed a significant transformation in recent years, becoming a hub for both foreign and local drug cartels. This has led to a surge in violent crimes, including murders, kidnappings, and extortion. Gangs wielding violence now control prisons and neighborhoods across various cities and ports, exacerbating the security situation.
National murder rates have quadrupled since 2018, jumping from six to twenty-six murders per hundred thousand residents. The abduction of the British consul highlights the critical security challenges facing Ecuador and raises concerns about the safety of foreign diplomats and expatriates in the region.
The Ecuadorian police are actively investigating the abduction, but no further details have been released at this time. The British Embassy in Ecuador has yet to issue a formal statement regarding the incident.
