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Ecuadorian footballer Pedro Pablo Perlaza has been rescued after three days of captivity in Esmeraldas. Police freed him during an armed operation against his kidnappers.
Pedro Pablo Perlaza, a 33-year-old Ecuadorian footballer playing for Delfín Sporting Club, has been rescued by the Ecuadorian National Police after being held captive for three days. Perlaza and his friend, Juan Carlos Morales, were freed during an operation in Atacames, a town in the province of Esmeraldas.
A dangerous rescue operation
The commander of the National Police, Diego Velástegui, revealed the high-stakes nature of the rescue. The operation involved an armed confrontation with the kidnappers, who opened fire on the police when they arrived. Despite the heavy gunfire, the officers managed to liberate the two hostages.
"After an armed confrontation, we freed two victims of extortion-related kidnapping in Esmeraldas," the National Police shared on their official social media platform. They also disclosed that the kidnappers had been demanding a ransom in exchange for the hostages’ release.
“They are mistreated but alive”
Following the shootout, the kidnappers fled the scene, and police successfully secured the safety of Perlaza and Morales.
"They are mistreated but alive, which is what we wanted to see," the police confirmed after the rescue.
The tense search for the victims had raised fears, as two bodies were found during the investigation, initially sparking concerns they might have belonged to the hostages.
Perlaza speaks after his rescue
After his release, Perlaza expressed gratitude toward the police for their relentless efforts:
"To the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (Unase) of the police, thank you for pulling us out of where we were stuck. We crossed more than 15 mountains—it’s like being born again. Now it’s time to move forward," he said in statements to El Universo.
The footballer emphasized the importance of surviving the ordeal:
"We are alive, and that’s what matters."
Perlaza has played for numerous clubs throughout his career, including Liga de Quito, Independiente del Valle, Aucas, and Barcelona SC. Currently a member of Delfín Sporting Club, he remains a prominent figure in Ecuadorian football.