British businessman Colin Armstrong kidnapped from home in Ecuador
A British businessman has been kidnapped by around 15 men at his home in Ecuador, local media reports say.
Colin Armstrong, who is also the UK’s Honorary Consul in Guayaquil, was reportedly taken from a ranch he owns in the province of Los Rios, along with his partner, early Saturday morning.
Local media reports say criminals disguised as police officers forcibly entered the 78-year-old’s property and snatched him and his partner, who is a Colombian national.
The UK’s Foreign and Development Office has confirmed it is in contact with Ecuadorian authorities following the disappearance of a British man, but did not confirm his identity or the location of the potential crime.
Ecuadorian police forces have said in a statement that they are carrying out “operational and research tasks” after “the alleged criminal act against a businessman that occurred this morning,” but did not mention Mr Armstrong by name.
A woman has shared a video on social media claiming to show the aftermath of the kidnapping in Mr Armstrong’s home. The footage, which has been shared by Ecuadorian news outlets, shows a broken doorframe and dried blood on a bed in the property.
Mr Armstrong is the founder of Agripac, an agricultural products supply companies in Ecuador founded in 1972.
He is also the owner of the 500-acre Tupgill Park Estate, which has over 50 people on its payroll to help maintain it for the approximately 150,000 visitors it gets each year.
The businessman was awarded an OBE and CMG by the Queen for services to the British Monarchy in 2011.
Kidnapping for ransom has become increasingly common in Ecuador amid rising crime, largely attributed to drug trafficking gangs.