Overview

• Jackson Rodríguez’s wife and 5-year-old child were kidnapped early Wednesday during a home invasion in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
• The kidnappers broke in at 3 a.m., asking for Rodríguez before abducting his wife and child; the soccer player hid under a bed during the attack.
• Rodríguez reported seeing the suspects flee in a gray double-cab pickup truck, which police are now using as a lead in their investigation.
• The incident occurred shortly after the government declared a state of emergency in nine regions to combat surging organized crime and violence.
• Guayaquil, a major hub for drug trafficking, has seen escalating violence, with over 700 violent deaths reported in the city during the first quarter of 2025.