In Colombia, 20,000 people have been taken hostage in the last ten years. While political leaders, the military, and prominent figures have long been on the front lines, today all Colombians are threatened, even the most anonymous.

From Bogotá to the outskirts of Medellín, kidnapping has become a business. Abductions are now carried out en masse by petty criminals who sell their victims to the FARC, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. The guerrilla group finances its fight by then negotiating ransoms with the families.

For loved ones, it's hell: how can they cope with the absence? Is it worth risking the worst by trying to lower the kidnappers' financial demands? Some families are now turning to specialized coaches to conduct negotiations.

The police have established a special unit: 900 men trained in all combat techniques. But their mission is delicate: they must exfiltrate the hostages without risking a blunder, and they don't always succeed, because, in the event of an assault, the guerrillas have orders to kill their hostages.

This documentary was produced by Ligne de Front and directed by Thierry Gaytan. It was first broadcast in 2010.

--- Red Zone plunges you into the world of crime and investigation, taking you to the most volatile locations in the world.

Follow law enforcement officers, gendarmes, and police officers on their high-risk missions, explore the most dangerous cities, and discover the world of organized crime and social tensions. Between original investigations, field operations, and exclusive reports, Red Zone lets you experience the raw reality: where action and danger intersect, where every decision can change everything. Red Zone reveals what other cameras don't dare to film.

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