ZULMA LÓPEZ
SPECIAL ARTICLE FOR EL UNIVERSAL

Based on the statistics handled by the Táchira State Ranchers' Association (Asogata), over the last five years, at least 170 people have been deprived of their freedom in this region, without taking into account the abductions that have not been denounced at the security corps and are dealt quietly by the victims' relatives and kidnappers. These numbers do not include the Tachira's people who lost their freedom in the states of Mérida, Apure and Barinas.

Since 2001, men, women, adolescents and children have been abducted.

During this term, seven people have died during the rescue or in captivity. The case that moved most the Táchira community was the murder of farmer Marcial Marciales. He was found dead early September to the south of the state after being held for six months.

Japanese businessman Akira Amemiya, taxi-driver Pablo Romero and farmers Gustavo Serrano, Alexis Serrano and Edil Rodríguez met the same fate, as well as Elí Mora Zambrano, the owner of a supermarket. His body was found on a road to the south of the state with no identification at all.

The 170 cases recorded by Asogata include 20 women and 11 teenagers and children. In addition, 18 men, three women and two minors are still hostages. The latter were abducted along with their mother earlier October.

Four days after this event, a 27-year-old student vanished mysteriously. Orlando Contreras, nephew of former governor in Federal District Miguel Ángel Contreras Laguado, had been kidnapped once in November 2003. Again, he was the target of criminals, who took him when driving his van. The vehicle was left in Barrio Bolívar, San Cristóbal; the capital city of Táchira state.

Top in the list of those who are still in the hands of kidnappers are rancher Carlos Eduardo Rosales, 28, and trader Eulman Moncada. The two men, abducted in Ayacucho and Torbes municipality, accomplished four years far away from their relatives.

Porfirio Dávila is the second case with the longest term in captivity. He has been held hostage for three years and four months. His son Porfirio comments that at the time of the occurrence, kidnappers asked for USD 140,000. His family cannot afford to pay such amount. Afterwards, they were advised that his father had been "traded" to another group. According to Porfirio, the authorities have "forgotten" his father's plight.

Vaccine is the only warrant
Traditionally, cattle ranchers in the western border area have made monthly payments, known as a "vaccine," to protect against kidnapping.

Asogata head Javier Pérez thinks that kidnappings have decreased due to widespread payment of the "vaccine." In his view, the situation has gotten worse because the crime is not committed only in rural sectors, but it moved to the city. Anybody making business in Táchira state is subject to extortion.

Based on rumors or the experience of close people, Pérez explained that a monthly or annual vaccine is collected from taxi-drivers, small businesses and cattle ranchers. Charges range from USD 47 to USD 140,000, according to the victim's assets.

While there is no evidence available, Asogata board presumes that bribers and kidnappers have contacts in bank agencies. Otherwise, Pérez said, it is difficult to understand how criminals manage to handle accurate information about bank movements.

Translated by Conchita Delgado