Young business 24-year old Juan Manuel Jiménez of San Francisco de Macorís was released after a month in captivity. Reportedly, his relatives paid a large ransom for his release. Bishop Jesus Maria de Jesus Maya, priest Julio Cesar Cornielle and journalist Antonio María served as intermediaries to negotiate the release of Jiménez. The kidnappers had requested a ransom of US$3 million. The amount paid was significantly less, according to news reports. Jiménez was released at Km. 59 of the Autopista Duarte in Santo Domingo and given RD$140 so he could make his way back to the city of San Francisco de Macorís.
