Kidnappings reach unprecedented levels

A survey published in the Venezuelan newspaper El Nacional suggests kidnappings in the country rose to unprecedented levels last year.



The figures, compiled by the National Institute for Statistics, show that almost 17,000 people were kidnapped between July 2008 and July 2009.



Most of them were so-called express kidnappings, where the victim was released after less than a day once a ransom had been paid.



The newspaper says the survey was commissioned by the government, which received the figures in May, but did not make them public.