Felix Batista | |
---|---|
Born | Felix I. Batista |
Disappeared | 10 December 2008 (aged 55) Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico |
Status | Missing for 15 years, 8 months and 3 days |
Nationality | American |
Children | 5 |
Felix I. Batista (disappeared 10 December 2008) is a Cuban-American [1] anti- kidnapping expert and former U.S. Army major who has negotiated resolution to nearly 100 kidnapping and ransom cases, [2] dozens of them in Mexico. [3] Batista was a consultant for Houston, Texas-based security firm ASI Global. [2] In December 2008, he was kidnapped in Mexico.
On 10 December 2008, Batista was kidnapped outside a restaurant in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico by unknown assailants [2] while there to speak and give anti-kidnapping advice. [4]
Batista was working as a negotiator to secure the release of a friend of his, while he was in a restaurant with several other people he received a phone call advising that the victim had been released and a car was being sent for him. As Batista left the restaurant he was forced into a Jeep by a group of four people who had been waiting for him. An hour later the kidnapping victim was released. [5]
Since then, no one has had any communication with him and no one has ever claimed responsibility for his kidnapping as of May 2024 [update]. [6]
A statement from Batista's family said there was no sign of violence at the scene. [7]