In a harrowing incident that has sent shockwaves through the football community, Jackson Rodriguez, a defender for C.S. Emelec, is facing a personal nightmare after his wife and 5-year-old son were kidnapped during a violent home invasion in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The terrifying event unfolded in the early hours of Wednesday morning, April 23, 2025, at approximately 2:50 AM, when a group of armed intruders broke into Rodriguez's home.
According to local police chief Edison Rodriguez, the footballer recounted that he hid under his bed as the attackers forced their way in, using a sledgehammer to break down the front door. The kidnappers specifically asked for Rodriguez's whereabouts before abducting his family, leaving the footballer in a state of shock.
"I saw through a window that the individuals were traveling in a gray double-cab pickup truck," Rodriguez told authorities, detailing the harrowing moments of the invasion. The police confirmed that both his wife and child were taken during the assault, which has raised alarms in a city already grappling with escalating violence.
The incident occurred in the Mucho Lote 2 neighborhood of Guayaquil, which has been under a government-declared "internal armed conflict" since January 2024 due to rising violence linked to organized crime. This area has seen several kidnappings in recent months, with earlier incidents involving local shopkeepers and business owners.
This is not the first time that footballers have been targeted in Ecuador. In December 2024, fellow player Pedro Perlaza was kidnapped in Esmeraldas, but he was rescued a few days later. The fear of such incidents hangs heavy over the football community, especially given the recent surge in violent crimes across the country.
Rodriguez, who has made nine appearances in the LigaPro Serie A this season, has not reported any prior threats to the police. However, the recent government measures, including a state of emergency declared just ten days before the incident, highlight the increasing danger in the region. Authorities have reported that between January and March 2025, there were 2,345 violent deaths in Ecuador, with 742 occurring in Guayaquil alone.
The abduction of Rodriguez's family has garnered widespread attention, not only because of the footballer's status but also due to the troubling trend of violence and kidnappings in Ecuador. The football community, both locally and internationally, is rallying for the safe return of Rodriguez's loved ones.
As the investigation unfolds, the Emelec club has yet to issue an official statement regarding the situation. The emotional toll on Rodriguez is evident, as he pleads for the safe return of his family. The incident brings back haunting memories of the 2023 abduction of Luis Diaz's father in Colombia by the National Liberation Army (ELN), which also shook the football world.
In light of these events, many are left wondering what can be done to improve safety and security for athletes and citizens alike in Ecuador. The government’s efforts to combat organized crime and restore peace in the region are now more crucial than ever.
The football community continues to hold its breath, hoping for a swift and safe resolution to this distressing situation. As Rodriguez awaits news of his family, the support from fans and fellow athletes serves as a reminder of the solidarity that exists within the sport, even in the face of such adversity.
