Police rescue Ecuador’s Perlaza after kidnapping

Late on Wednesday, the Ecuadorian police force announced that Pedro Perlaza, a defender, had been freed after being abducted over the weekend.

Perlaza, a three-time Ecuadorian captain who currently plays for elite team Delfin, went out on Sunday with a buddy to a party in the seaside city of Esmeraldas in the northwest.

“This Wednesday … in Esmeraldas, the National Police of Ecuador … carried out the release of citizens Pedro P. and Juan M., reported as kidnapped,” their statement read.

“The Anti-Kidnapping and Extortion Unit (UNASE) used information-gathering procedures and was able to identify a rural home where the victims were being held hostage.

“The property where the kidnapped citizens were found was subsequently checked, in order to secure them and return them to their families safe and sound.”

The 33-year-old Perlaza helped them earn a spot in the Qatar tournament by starting two 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Colombia.

In recent years, violent crimes have increased in Ecuador.

According to National Police records, there were more over 7,000 violent deaths in 2023, an almost 65% rise over 2022.