Anti-Kidnap Consultant Kidnapped in Mexico

[Scurrilous]

Source: NY Times

<snip>

"An American security consultant who is an expert on kidnapping and has helped negotiate the release of scores of kidnap victims in Latin America over the years was himself kidnapped last week in northern Mexico after delivering a seminar there on how to avoid that fate, according to officials and published reports.

The FBI, which investigates the abductions of American citizens overseas, and Mexican law enforcement officials are investigating the abduction, which took place last Wednesday evening in the relatively calm city of Saltillo in the northern border state of Coahuila.

The consultant, Felix Batista, 55, was in Saltillo offering security seminars for area business owners when he was abducted by a group of armed men. He had arrived on Dec. 6 and had given his two seminars on Dec. 8 and 9, the local press reported. He had met with police officials on the morning of Dec. 10, local newspapers said.

Later that day, Mr. Batista had been in a restaurant in the northern part of the city when he received a telephone call that led him to get up and leave. That is when the group of armed men took him way, officials and local newspapers said."

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/16/world/americas/16mexico.html?ref=world

[Wickerman]

1. He's gonna need a new business and marketing plan in 2009

Should. of course, he er, still be in business. Best wishes to him and his family.

[Wizard777]

4. No, he's just conducting further field research.

As a retired executive bodyguard. That would be the story I would stick with.......while I raised my fees.

[keroro gunsou]

2. ah irony

the true lost art of any civilized culture.

i do hope he's ok, though good intentions alone may not be enough....

[cstanleytech]

3. The irony was my first thoughts as well but yeah

hopefully he will be ok.

[mitchum]

5. BWAHAHAHAHA

[sakabatou]

6. *BOOM!*

My irony meter! I just hope he gets out ok.

[douglas9]

7. U.S. anti-kidnap expert kidnapped in Mexico

Source: Reuters

MONTERREY, Mexico (Reuters) - Mexican gunmen have kidnapped a U.S. security consultant who negotiated the release of dozens of kidnap victims in Latin America.

Gunmen abducted Felix Batista outside a restaurant last Wednesday in the relatively safe northern industrial city of Saltillo in Coahuila state, Mexican authorities and his employer, security consultancy ASI Global, said on Monday.

Batista, a Miami-based Cuban American credited with negotiating the release of victims abducted by Colombian rebels, was snatched after he stepped outside the restaurant, answering a call on his cellular phone, Mexican media said.

The U.S. embassy in Mexico City said it was investigating and declined to comment further.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/articlePrint?articleId=USTRE4BE52Y20081215

[Double T]

8. epitome of arrogant incompetence

[JNelson6563]

9. The irony...it hurts.

:hurts:

[Deja Q]

10. Woah.

[Career Prole]

11. "What can I say?"

"The guy at the employment agency said the industry had huge growth potential!"

[No Elephants]

12. Kidnapping is ugly, even when it's ironic.