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This evening, shockwaves rippled through the north when it was confirmed that a prominent politician’s father was kidnapped. Former UDP Minister, Elodio Aragon Sr., the father of current minister of state, Elodio Jr was taken from his home early this morning by a group of men.  7News has confirmed that more than one intruder went into his home, ransacked it, then blindfolded Aragon Sr. and tied his hands.  They then took the keys for his vehicle and put him inside.  The abductors then drove around for what we are told is less than half an hour - and then, surprisingly, released him unharmed.  They left with his vehicle, a Honda CR-V which has still not been recovered.  

A late evening police report says he was released about 2 miles on the Posito Road off the Phillip Goldson Highway.  We are told it was a feeder road and Aragon walked back to the town.  His son, Minister of state Aragon told us tonight by phone that his father is shaken up - and he added that it is a crime of opportunity. He noted that his father lives in a secluded area by himself, and believes that the abductors just wanted money or valuables.  Another source close to the Aragon family told us they were asking for money.

But, many out there are taking the interpretation that his abduction is part of something much larger and darker than petty crime.  They believe that someone from the underworld wanted to send Aragon Jr a message.  When we asked him about that today, Aragon Jr, dismissed it out of hand - he said no one has any message to send to him because he has no involvement in anything illegal.  

The 70 year old Aragon Sr. is a former town mayor, and a three term representative for Orange Walk East from 1984 to 1998.  He has been in politics there since the late 70’s and remains the District’s NEMO coordinator - which is to say he is almost universally known in Orange Walk.

His kidnapping - however brief - does raise many questions, and draws a very chilling parallel to another former mayor - this one a PUP, Ramon Monchy Cervantez Sr., who was abducted and killed in 2014.

Fortunately, again, Aragon Sr. was unharmed and is safe with his family tonight.  Police are following a number of leads - and we’ll have much more on this tomorrow.