In this edition of the Global Kidnap Bulletin, we examine Somali pirate gangs and assess whether their recent attacks point to a resurgence in piracy off the Horn of Africa. We also profile the numerous gangs holding Haiti to ransom and explore wrongful detention and the targeting of journalists and political activists as key themes in Ethiopia and Venezuela, and finally, we delve into President Daniel Noboa’s plan to address growing gang violence in Ecuador.
WORLD NEWS IN BRIEF
A roundup of key travel security developments globally. Read the article
Sub-Saharan Africa
Troubled waters: Somali pirates make a return
Since November 2023, there has been at least 15 pirate attacks reported off the Somali coast. Although efforts to bolster maritime security capabilities in the region have had some success and will likely prevent a resurgence of Somali piracy remnant of 2012, the attacks will be concerning for commercial seafarers already facing increased security threats in the Red Sea. Read the article
Carribean
Lords of war: Profiling the gangs bringing Haiti to its knees
The 200-plus criminal gangs operating in Haiti have rendered the Caribbean nation a failed state. The violence seen over recent weeks has led to the near collapse of Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s government and left an under-resourced and poorly trained security force unable to restore order, having met their match in far better equipped adversaries. Read the article
Sub-Saharan Africa
Muzzling the media in Ethiopia’s conflict zones
Reporting on Ethiopia’s highly sensitive and highly complex conflicts is no easy task for foreign and local journalists alike. Those presented with the opportunity to break the story increasingly face reprisal from the federal government who deem their actions counter to Ethiopia’s national security interests. This dynamic has driven the threat of wrongful detention in the country and with these conflicts still unresolved, this threat is set to persist. Read the article
Latin America
Detained: Venezuela’s government poised to arrest dissenters
As part of the agreement with the United States to begin lifting sanctions on Venezuela, President Nicolás Maduro’s government had agreed to set aside its tools of repression. But, as the July elections draw nearer, it seems the regime is increasingly tempted to clampdown on the opposition, targeting journalists, human rights activists, opposition politicians and any civil society organisations not aligned with the administration. Read the article
Latin America
Winning a battle, but losing the war? Addressing Ecuador’s security challenges
President Daniel Noboa’s path of militarising Ecuador’s response to violent organised crime has enjoyed some early success. Yet, with both transitional and domestic gangs having effectively embedded into society and the country’s prison system alike, he is likely to face significant resistance to his efforts. Read the article
