Ben Lopez - The Negotiator : My Life at the Heart of the Hostage Trade

Ben Lopez was born in New York and spent part of his childhood in Venezuela, where he witnessed first hand the devastating effects of Kidnap for Ransom (K&R). His work has taken him across the globe, from Mexico to Colombia to the Middle East. In more than twenty years in the K&R field he has never lost a hostage. Ben Lopez isnt his real name. If he told you it, it would be too dangerous for him to travel to many countries ever again. He lives in London.

THE

NEGOTIATOR

MY LIFE AT THE HEART OF

THE HOSTAGE TRADE

Ben Lopez

SKYHORSE PUBLISHING

A HERMAN GRAF BOOK

Copyright 2011 by Ben Lopez

First published in the United Kingdom by Sphere.

All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews or articles. All inquiries should be addressed to Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018.

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10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

ISBN: 978-1-61608-862-0

Printed in the United States of America

This book is dedicated to my dear D for your love, gentle patience and unflagging faith. Without those, I could never have finished it.

This book is also dedicated to my G and my L. You make me so proud I could burst.

Authors Note

We live in dangerous times.

Terrorism, recession, the proliferation of cheap weapons and the globalisation of organised crime have made kidnapping one of the most lucrative growth markets in the criminal underworld. Its an industry that is now worth more than $1 billion a year and thats just the cases we know about. Its the tip of the iceberg.

The business of ensuring the safe return of hostages falls to the hands of a trusted few: hostage negotiators. These men and women work tirelessly to bring a peaceful end to hostile and potentially deadly crises. Their work is carried out in the shadows: away from the media glare, in situation rooms and negotiator cells in some of the most desperate and desolate places on earth.

None of us seek out the limelight. But I believe its important the world knows the work we do and the sacrifices we make. The names of all the people and organisations have been changed, as have the locations. Dialogues are not verbatim and should not be treated as such.

Everything in this book, however, is based on actual events. May you be safe, well and happy.

Ben Lopez
London, June 2011

Kidnapping.

The deliberate creation and marketing of human grief, anguish and despair.

Tom Hargrove, FARC Hostage

Day 325 of 334, 1994

Somewhere in the jungles of Colombia

He who saves one life,

saves the world entire.

Talmud

Knowledge dispels fear.

Motto of the Parachute Training School,

Australian Army

Contents

Acknowledgments

You wouldnt be holding this book in your hand if it werent for another man named Ben. Not long ago he changed my life for ever by suggesting it be written.

It was his idea and he guided it masterfully from conception to fruition. For this and many other reasons, he is the Worlds Greatest Agent. I look forward to more adventures with him.

Special thanks go to Tim, for his astonishing talent, patience and friendship. Special thanks also go to Adam, for taking the risk on this book and me.

Id also like to acknowledge Iain, Maddie and everyone else at Sphere who made this book happen.

My most sincere and humble thanks go to the many other people who for security and other reasons I cant name. These include former hostages and their families, clients past and present, fellow response consultants, law-enforcement professionals and others whove given generously of their time and experience. Your experience, dedication and generosity have given me so much that I can never repay it. Ill keep trying anyway.

Any mistakes or liberties taken are entirely mine.

Kidnap for Ransom: A Snapshot

More than 20,000 kidnappings are reported each year.

Only 1 in 10 of these is reported to the authorities.

The number of kidnappings around the world has increased by 100 per cent in the past twelve months.

Over 50 per cent of all kidnappings take place in Latin America.

70 per cent of kidnappings result in a ransom payment; only 10 per cent of hostages are rescued by force.

78 per cent of abductions occur within 200 metres of the victims home or workplace.

Most kidnaps happen on weekday mornings.

Ransom demands range from $5000 to $100 million.

Mexico experiences 7000 reported kidnappings each year. The real figure is much higher.

In Colombia there are ten kidnappings per day, with only 3 per cent of kidnappers prosecuted. By contrast, 95 per cent of kidnappings in the USA result in prosecution.

90 per cent of kidnappings globally are of locals, not expats or tourists.

In London, insurance premiums for K&R (kidnap for ransom) bring in over $130 million per annum.

21: the percentage of hostages in Latin America who survive rescue attempts.

Abduction Captivity Proof of Life Negotiation Ransom Drop Release

Part One

END GAME

Play any tricks and I will mutilate the package.

Zeze

THE PACKAGE

I have the money.

Good.

I have it here to the last cent.

The voice on the other end of the line was tense. Divide the money into two. Put half in a black bin bag and the other in an identical bag.

Okay.

No false or marked notes.

The communicator said, I guarantee the money isnt marked.

And I want you to buy a pre-paid cell phone. The kidnapper was barking orders in staccato bursts, anxious not to make the call last a second longer than necessary.

The communicator said, Okay.

The package has a chauffeur. His name is Henrique. You are to use him to deliver the money. Give him the cell phone then wait for my call. Try playing any tricks and I will mutilate the package.

You have my

Click.

The communicator, Luis Feola, breathed out like he was coming up for air. He stared blankly at the screen of his BlackBerry Bold. The guy on the other end of the line was known only as Zeze?. He was a professional kidnapper whose gang of toughs had abducted Luiss brother, Diego, seven days previously, snatching him at gunpoint from his silver BMW E90 as he was clocking off work. Zeze was no fool. Hed played the kidnapping game for longer than a little while. But he was uneducated and greedy. And something about Zezes demands just did not seem right.

Luis lifted his eyes to meet mine. I removed the headphones and said, Were in the end game now. But this is very important. Next time he calls, you have to be absolutely clear and immovable on that point.