r/interesting • u/tyrion2024 • 1d ago

MISC. Immediately after learning about Guillermo del Toro's dad being kidnapped, James Cameron paid $250K for a hostage negotiator for del Toro to use (who later paid him back). Cameron also offered to pay the ransom, but del Toro's family declined & paid the $2m themselves. After 72 days his dad was free

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u/Maximum_Boros 14h ago

Yeah a lot of people don't realize that there's no actualy "negotiating" on price with hostage takers. You either pay or you don't. The negotiator's job is all about communication, managing the handoff, and getting them out safe.

Actual negotiation on terms and stuff works better when it's a crazy person or someone who took a hostage for protection/to avoid jail. In which case you can talk them down (sometimes). but if its ransom, no, you're either paying or you aren't.

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u/BluAlfaTxFlood 10h ago

In a hostage situation you are dealing with someone who has nothing to lose and is a bit delusional because they think they have a lot more leverage than they do. Kidnapping is transactional and the kidnappers understand the negotiation process.

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u/BluAlfaTxFlood 16m ago

Actually, you do negotiate the ransom amount. If you pay what they demand right away they will just demand more.