Are we getting kidnapped by pirates? Ep. 12

Pirates and kidnapping for ransom have historically been a problem off the coast of Colombia and Panama. In the 12 months prior, our cruising friends were boarded by 6 pirates and tied up and a Kiwi family was boarded and the father killed. Back when I had a job that included Kidnap and Ransom insurance, they warned me that this area was not covered due to extreme risk. Because of all of this, when a group of men in paramilitary uniforms made us follow them, we immediately thought, "Are we getting kidnapped by pirates?" In this episode we were hoping for a smooth crossing from the Eastern Caribbean through Bonaire, Colombia and Panama in an attempt to get to French Polynesia by May. It did not turn out as we expected.