British Businessman Colin Armstrong Kidnapped from Home in Ecuador

Colin Armstrong, a British businessman and former UK honorary consul in Guayaquil, Ecuador, has been kidnapped from his home by hooded men. The 78-year-old was taken alongside his Colombian partner, Katherine Paola Santos, and driven away in his own car, which was later found abandoned. Kidnappings for ransom have become increasingly common in Ecuador due to surging violent crime fueled by drug trafficking gangs. Ecuador has transformed from one of the safest countries in Latin America to the most dangerous in just five years. Armstrong, the founder of Agripac, a large agricultural products company, left his role as honorary consul in 2016. President Daniel Noboa has promised to crack down on drug gangs and organized crime since taking office.