Felix I. Batista (disappeared 10 December 2008) is a Cuban-American[1] anti-kidnapping expert and former U.S. Army major who has negotiated resolution to nearly 100 kidnapping and ransom cases,[2] dozens of them in Mexico.[3] Batista was a consultant for Houston, Texas-based security firm ASI Global.[2] In December 2008, he was kidnapped in Mexico.
Felix Batista | |
|---|---|
| Born | Felix I. Batista |
| Disappeared | 10 December 2008 (aged 55) Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico |
| Status | Missing for 15 years, 11 months and 2 days |
| Nationality | American |
| Children | 5 |
Kidnapping
editOn 10 December 2008, Batista was kidnapped outside a restaurant in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico by unknown assailants[2] while there to speak and give anti-kidnapping advice.[4]
Batista was working as a negotiator to secure the release of a friend of his, while he was in a restaurant with several other people he received a phone call advising that the victim had been released and a car was being sent for him. As Batista left the restaurant he was forced into a Jeep by a group of four people who had been waiting for him. An hour later the kidnapping victim was released.[5]
Since then, no one has had any communication with him and no one has ever claimed responsibility for his kidnapping as of September 2024[update].[6]
A statement from Batista's family said there was no sign of violence at the scene.[7]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Julieta, Martínez (21 February 2008). "Destaca México en número de secuestros" (in Spanish). El Universal. Retrieved 15 December 2008.
- ^ a b c Stevenson, Mark (2008-12-15). "US anti-kidnapping expert kidnapped in Mexico". Yahoo!. Archived from the original on 16 December 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-15.
- ^ "Kidnappings soar in Mexico". AZ Central. 23 April 2008. Retrieved 15 December 2008.
- ^ Lacey, Marc (16 December 2008). "Anti-kidnapping consultant kidnapped in Mexico". The New York Times.
- ^ "Felix Batista". FBI. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
- ^ Nolan, Caitlin (8 December 2016). "Family Still Searching for Answers, 8 Years After Anti-Kidnapping Expert Was Kidnapped". Inside Edition. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
- ^ "'Please have mercy,' wife begs kidnappers - CNN.com". CNN. 7 January 2009. Retrieved 2 May 2010.
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