A New York man who was kidnapped from his home in Mexico and held for ransom for three days was rescued by soldiers on Friday.
Joseph Constantine Buonincontri, 56, was found in a hut in the jungle near the city of Tuxtla Gutierrez in the southern state of Chiapas. He had his eyes taped shut and was tied up by his limbs.
The kidnappers had demanded $200,000 for his release, but they fled the scene before the authorities arrived. No arrests have been made so far.
Buonincontri, who owns a restaurant in Mexico, was not seriously injured and was taken to a hospital for a check-up. He thanked the soldiers for saving his life and said he was grateful to be alive.
The U.S. Embassy in Mexico said it was aware of the case and provided consular assistance to Buonincontri and his family.
Kidnapping is a severe problem in Mexico, where more than 1,300 cases were reported in 2023, according to official statistics. However, the actual number is believed to be much higher, as many victims do not report the crime for fear of retaliation.
