The Office of the Chancellor has confirmed that a member of our diplomatic corps has been kidnapped in the Republic of Venezuela. The victim in question is Guillermo Cholele, who is an attaché and counsel to Nazareth Avendano, Ambassador of Costa Rica in the Republic of Venezuela.

According to an official communication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Avendano explained that Mr. Cholele was surprised by two unknown assailants upon returning to his home on the night of Easter, April 8^th. The perpetrators took him into a vehicle and left for an unknown destination.

A phone call was received at Mr. Cholele’s home after the kidnapping. The callers stated that Mr. Cholele was in good health and asked for an undisclosed monetary sum as ransom.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs is conducting an investigation and is presently coordinating with security forces and the Venezuelan State Department in Caracas. Above all, the Minister explained that bringing Mr. Cholele safely back to Costa Rica and to his loved ones is the only priority.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs