According to UNASE, the extortion cases is estimated to have surged by 300% compared to previous years.

UNASE indicated that on March 2, in just two days, four kidnapping victims were rescued in the so-called Zone 8, which includes Guayaquil, Duran and Samborondon municipalities.

The victims alleged the extortionists called for sums of money up to US$50,000 to free the kidnapped people.

Ecuador´s Alliance of Organizations for Human Rights recently warned about the state’s neglection in cracking down on violence and insecurity.

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