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Guatemalan Central Bank President Kidnapped VOA News 28 Feb 2002 04:36 UTC 
The Guatemalan government confirms that its Central Bank president, Lizardo Sosa, has been kidnapped and is being held for ransom.
Vice President Francisco Reyes told reporters Wednesday the kidnappers have contacted Mr. Sosa's family and asked for a ransom. He did not specify an amount.
The vice president also refused to say whether the incident appeared to be politically motivated. Police are searching for the kidnappers.
Officials say Mr. Sosa disappeared around dawn Monday as he went jogging alone near his home in southern Guatemala City.
The Guatemalan media had been reporting on the incident extensively, even though the government refused to comment on the reports until Wednesday. Mr. Sosa's wife also insisted he was sick and in bed.
Violent street crime, bank robberies and other offenses have risen in Guatemala since 1996, when peace accords ended a 36-year civil war.
Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
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