Two young men, one from Haryana and the other from Punjab, have been allegedly kidnapped in Guatemala while attempting to enter the United States through illegal immigration routes via Central America. The kidnappers have demanded a ransom of USD 20,000, according to the families of the victims, who are now seeking urgent assistance from the Indian government for their release.
Yuvraj Singh, a resident of Mohna village in Haryana’s Kaithal district, is one of the victims. His father, Kuldeep Singh, has appealed to local authorities and the Indian government after receiving a disturbing video showing his son being tortured at gunpoint. The footage, which was sent by the kidnappers in December 2024, shows Yuvraj being physically abused, further escalating the urgency of the situation.
Kuldeep Singh shared details of the journey that led to his son’s kidnapping. Yuvraj, who left for the US in October 2024, was promised a legal route to immigration by a group of agents in exchange for a payment of Rs 41 lakh. According to Kuldeep Singh, Yuvraj made an initial payment of Rs 2 lakh to the agents, followed by an additional Rs 22 lakh over the course of the journey. During this period, the agents requested further payments, amounting to Rs 14 lakh before Yuvraj’s abduction.
The second victim, from Dasuaya in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur district, has also faced a similar ordeal. His family received the same kidnapping video in December 2024 and attempted to contact the agents involved. However, the agents have since disappeared, leaving the families without any support.
The families have now called on the Indian government to intervene and assist in securing the safe return of their sons from Guatemala. The ransom demand has fluctuated between USD 20,000 and USD 40,000, with the kidnappers continuing to hold the youths hostage.
In response to the incident, Kaithal Superintendent of Police Rajesh Kalia confirmed that an FIR (First Information Report) has been filed against the travel agents involved in the case. Authorities are currently investigating the matter, and efforts are underway to trace the perpetrators and secure the release of the kidnapped youths.
This distressing incident highlights the dangers faced by individuals attempting to migrate illegally and underscores the risks associated with unregulated immigration routes. The families, along with law enforcement agencies, are continuing to work towards securing a resolution and ensuring that such exploitation is prevented in the future.
