Three extortionate kidnappings in less than a week mark a milestone in crime in Chile; until 2016, they were rare crimes perpetrated only among members of criminal gangs. Promoted mainly by transnational gangs, if in the Metropolitan Region of Santiago, between 2016 and 2020 there were between six to eight cases per year, in 2021 they reached 26. The jump was in 2022, when 46 cases were registered. As of November 2023, there were 45, according to information from the Investigative Police (PDI).
The case of former Venezuelan military officer Ronald Ojeda Moreno has been, until now, different. That is why the Government of Gabriel Boric and the Prosecutor’s Office have aligned themselves by indicating that they do not rule out any hypothesis, but the authorities are considering at least four. One of them is possible international intervention, but at the same level as a possible kidnapping for extortion, a kidnapping linked to a gang or even self-kidnapping.
The trend of kidnappings is that within 48 hours of the report, a ransom is requested, that of Ojeda Moreno was not like that. The location is also noted, a 14th floor, and the time at which it occurred (at dawn) and not on public roads, since in most situations the victims are forcibly put into a vehicle. It is also the first time, since the rise of these crimes, that the captors are police officers.
The complaint of the kidnapping of the 32-year-old Venezuelan in Chile was reported by his family first to Carabineros and then to the Investigative Police. It happened at 3:15 a.m. on Wednesday, in a building in the municipality of Independencia, in the northern sector of Santiago.
According to the video from the security cameras, three individuals in PDI uniforms, with supposed bulletproof vests, dark helmets and their faces covered, arrived at his apartment on the 14th floor and took him away. A fourth stayed with the janitor. Ojeda was barefoot and only wearing his underwear. In the parking lot you see a gray car with a blue beacon.
In parallel to the investigations, at noon on Wednesday former commissioner Iván Simonovis, an opponent of Nicolás Maduro’s regime, through his social network account X published the name of Ojeda, whom he identified as a lieutenant. He was the one who targeted an operation orchestrated by the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM). In his publication he attached a video, supposedly of the moment in which the former soldier is taken from his apartment.
But it was not until Wednesday night that the Chilean Government confirmed the fact. This was done by the Undersecretary of the Interior, Manuel Monsalve, who at all times referred to Ojeda as a “Venezuelan citizen,” without mentioning his status as a former military officer.
“There was indeed a kidnapping of a Venezuelan citizen during the early hours of the morning, as I believe is public knowledge, in the commune of Independencia,” Monsalve declared and emphasized that the Prosecutor’s Office declared the investigation secret. “Here what matters is protecting the integrity of the eventual victim and his family.”
Ronald Leandro Ojeda Moreno settled in Chile in 2017. On his social networks he has been an active opponent of the Venezuelan regime. The Administration of Gabriel Boric has not confirmed whether or not he had the status of political refugee, despite the fact that it was reported that he has had it since the end of December 2023. Regarding this, Monsalve said that by law it is a situation that is not can reveal.
Ojeda, a retired first lieutenant with commando training, is one of the 33 soldiers of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) who were expelled and demoted on January 24, when the Venezuelan Ministry of Defense published a list in which his name appeared. It was then explained that the military was involved in “criminal and terrorist” actions against Nicolás Maduro, and that they faced charges of “treason.”
The Chilean ambassador to Venezuela, Jaime Gazmuri, is managing a conversation with the vice minister for the Americas of the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry. According to the Government spokesperson, Camila Vallejo, because this is a “very serious event”, contacts have been maintained with Caracas at all levels: Government, police and through the corresponding prosecutor’s offices. As a result of the case, the Chilean Executive requested this Wednesday from Interpol an international alert, in addition to the protection of the country’s borders, both land, sea and air.
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**Interview with Crime Analyst Dr. Maria Salazar on Recent Kidnappings in Chile**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Salazar. The recent increase in extortionate kidnappings has raised significant concerns in Chile. Can you provide some context on the trend we’ve been seeing over the past few years?
**Dr. Salazar:** Sure, it’s alarming. Before 2016, kidnappings in Chile were quite rare and largely confined to criminal gangs. However, starting in 2021, we saw a sharp increase, with 26 reported incidents that year, and this further escalated to 46 in 2022. By November 2023, we already had 45 documented cases. This surge reflects a worrying shift in the criminal landscape—transnational gangs have become increasingly active and organized.
**Editor:** The recent case involving Ronald Ojeda Moreno is particularly striking, especially with the involvement of individuals in police uniforms. What implications does this have for public trust in law enforcement?
**Dr. Salazar:** This incident is unprecedented in several ways. The fact that the individuals involved were reportedly police officers raises serious questions about integrity and accountability within those institutions. It can severely undermine public trust in law enforcement, making citizens fearful and unsure about who to turn to for help.
**Editor:** Authorities have not ruled out several hypotheses regarding Ojeda’s kidnapping. How do you perceive the potential motivations behind this abduction, considering the different scenarios mentioned?
**Dr. Salazar:** The diverse possibilities suggest that the case could be more complex than a typical kidnapping for ransom. Factors such as international intervention, gang-related activities, or even self-kidnapping indicate a potentially political angle or retribution related to his past military actions. Each scenario brings different implications for security and crime policy in Chile.
**Editor:** The method of this kidnapping is also unusual, occurring in a private apartment rather than public spaces, and without a ransom demand so far. How does this deviate from typical kidnapping patterns, and what might it suggest about the perpetrators?
**Dr. Salazar:** You’re right; this method stands out. Typically, kidnappers operate quickly, requesting a ransom within 48 hours. The lack of an immediate ransom demand, along with the specific location and time, may indicate a well-planned operation with motives beyond simple extortion. It suggests that the perpetrators may have access to detailed intelligence about their target, reflecting a higher level of organization and strategy.
**Editor:** Lastly, with the current trajectory of crime in Chile, what measures do you think the government should adopt to address these rising threats?
**Dr. Salazar:** The government needs to enhance coordination between law enforcement agencies, invest in intelligence capabilities, and improve community trust in police. Additionally, there’s a pressing need for social programs targeting the root causes of crime—education, employment opportunities, and addressing the influence of powerful transnational gangs. If these measures are not taken, we may continue to witness escalations like we have recently seen.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Salazar, for providing your insights on this pressing issue. It’s clear that the situation in Chile demands immediate attention and action from authorities and the community alike.
