Kidnapped Father and Son Found Alive in Mexico  

A father and son from Louisville Village, Orange Walk, who were kidnapped three days ago in the Subteniente López area of Quintana Roo, Mexico, have been found alive. Forty-eight-year-old Luis Camara and his nineteen-year-old son, Johan, were released by their captors after it became clear that they were taken by mistake. Once found, Mexican authorities ensured that they received a medical checkup to confirm that they were in good health. While the details of their abduction are still murky, Mexican police are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding their kidnapping and eventual release. News Five’s Marion Ali brings us the story of their safe return home.

 

Marion Ali, Reporting

Great news came early this morning from the Attorney-General’s Office of Quintana Roo: Luis and Johan Camara, the father and son duo kidnapped on Tuesday, have been found alive. The Louisville residents are back home tonight, reunited with their family after enduring three terrifying nights in the hands of armed kidnappers in Mexico. While the details of their ordeal and release are still sketchy, Belize’s Ambassador to Mexico, Oscar Arnold, confirmed that although the men are safe, they were robbed of personal items. The investigation is ongoing.

 

Oscar Arnold, Belize’s Ambassador to Mexico

“The report this morning was that both gentlemen were found alive. It seems to have been a mistaken identity. There are some superficial wounds from what we are told, from them being either handcuffed or tied up. They had some wounds, some lacerations around their wrists, but outside of that, so far, they seem to be okay. They went to do a medical checkup, and I do believe also that the local police will probably do an interview as well to try to get some information from them. We understand that some items were taken from them – identification, passports and laptops as well. It seems that during the course of trying to ascertain whether they were the right individuals that these people were looking for, they were looking for evidence to either corroborate or to find out exactly who they were so far, it seems to be a mistaken identity case.”

 

Details, including where the men were taken, where they were found and who found them are still unclear. Arnold said the primary focus earlier was to get the men back to Belize safely. But what happens now with Johan’s academic pursuits in Mexico? Will he continue his agricultural studies? Will he be offered some kind of security if he does?

 

Oscar Arnold

“Our Counsel in Chetumal is also assisting to try to get both gentlemen across the border. This type of information is not available to me as yet. It seems that they were left somewhere to be found. The exact location, I am not privy to that information as yet, Marion. Here at the embassy. We are relieved that they were found alive. However, the questions you pose, along with many other questions, are things that we are following up with the authorities. We want to know – we’ll be asking them, we’ll be engaging with them to find out exactly what they know, what they have.”

 

This is the first time something like this has happened to anyone from Louisville, and even though the men have been released, the incident has left residents feeling uneasy about crossing the border. The situation has sparked concern among Belizeans who travel to Chetumal for various reasons, including shopping, as shared by Chairman Izael Pott and resident Marta Chuc.

 

Via phone: Izael Pott, Chairman, Louisville, Corozal

“It will trigger a fear to cross that border to many Belizeans. Also, on the educational side, some Belizeans look for further education on that side, so they might think twice. Not only the village, but you can see it in the comments on the social media.”

 

Marta Chuc, Resident, Louisville, Corozal

“We were afraid and I still am afraid because that’s something that we don’t imagine would happen. But I thank God that they are safe and returned home.”

 

Although the family is safely back together, Belizean authorities haven’t yet said if this incident will lead to a travel advisory for trips north of the border.

 

Oscar Arnold

“Before I can give an official word from on behalf of Foreign Affairs or the Embassy here, we need to get all the details before we can issue any other comment on the safety of traveling across the border. My advice would be that each of us, every individual person is responsible for their own safety as well, whenever they’re crossing any borders. The authorities have advised that they will step up their vigilance along the routes that are normally traveled by Belizeans whenever they visit Quintana Roo and Chetumal and Oton P. Blanco. So, my advice would be to remain vigilant to ensure that you stay on the beaten path. Don’t go off on any side roads or any  secluded areas.”

 

Marion Ali for News Five