- Joseph Constantine Buonincontri, 35, violently kidnapped from his home on February 4
- The New Yorker was found three days later in an improvised shelter in the desert of the province of Quintana Roo.
- His captors had demanded a ransom of $200,000 but have not yet been identified.
An American man who was kidnapped in Mexico was found in the jungle with his eyes taped shut and his hands tied.
Joseph Constantine Buonincontri, 35, was violently kidnapped from his home in Limones on February 4. He was discovered alive three days later, after several men demanded a $200,000 ransom.
The New York native was dramatically rescued by the Mexican military following a tip from locals who saw armed men driving a taxi from Tulum to the remote area.
Stunning images show the moment he was found tied under a makeshift shelter in the desert of the Mexican province of Quintana Roo.
In the video, a terrified Buonincontri is seen sitting on the ground with his wrists and ankles tied.
Stunning images show the moment he was found tied under a makeshift shelter in the desert of the Mexican province of Quintana Roo.
When the soldiers approach, they ask him if he is okay and if he wants some water.
But Buonincontri only asks for a cigarette and for his restraints to be loosened.
The clip was posted on bordelandbeat.com, which translated the entire conversation where a soldier tells the captive that they have been sent by the 7th Motorized Cavalry Regiment of the Mexican army to help him.
The agent can be seen signaling to his comrades not to come any closer while he talks to Buonincontri.
The captive tells him that he is originally from New York but lives in Quintana Roo.
‘Do you remember the day you were kidnapped?’ the soldier asks.
‘No, I don’t remember the day. I don’t even know what day it is,’ Buonincontri answers.
When the soldiers approach, they ask him if he is okay and if he wants some water.
Authorities said they also recovered a backpack with marijuana, a tactical vest and loaded magazines for an AR-15 from the scene.
The captive told investigators that he had been kidnapped by “unknown persons.” Mexican daily news reported.
The Attorney General’s Office of the State of Quintana Roo said in a statement that Buonincontri had been located thanks to joint work between the Mexican National Guard, state police and the army.