Many times, human beings can exhibit behavior that is difficult to understand.

Without doubt, one of the phenomena that is strange is part of what is known as Lima syndrome, a condition that affects some kidnappers who develop sympathy and positive feelings towards their victims.

Characteristics of this rare syndrome

The Lima syndrome is one of those incomprehensible phenomena that could easily be part of a film story. This syndrome is a psychological state that affects a kidnapper, who may have positive and even romantic feelings towards the person he is depriving of his freedom . It can manifest itself in different ways, for example, by avoiding harming him, giving him certain freedoms during his captivity and even worrying about his health and well-being.

However, first of all, it is necessary to emphasize that a syndrome is not necessarily a disorder, but is characterized by the presence of a series of symptoms under one label. Lima syndrome is far from being a psychopathology , but it can attract attention when it manifests itself.

In reality, there is little data on this, and little research has been done on this phenomenon, largely because of the complexity involved in measuring and analysing it. Logically, it is almost impossible to have a large sample of kidnappers experiencing this syndrome in order to evaluate them. Lima’s syndrome occurs rarely , and if it does, it is because a series of conditions are present that favour its development.

Why does it happen?

You’ve probably already asked yourself, “What reasons can make a kidnapper suffer from Lima syndrome?” To understand this phenomenon, it is necessary to understand the life of the kidnapper and what goes through his mind at the time of the kidnapping. It is possible that in cases where this condition has manifested itself, the kidnapper did not intend to harm the captive .

The kidnapper, for example, may have committed an act of kidnapping because he is experiencing financial difficulties. Another option is for him to develop Lima syndrome because he is not happy with the kidnapping. In other words, he is part of a group of kidnappers who have influenced his decision by the phenomenon of group pressure, although he is not entirely comfortable and does not want to treat the detainee badly. It may also be that the kidnapper is physically attracted to the victim.

How does Lima syndrome manifest itself?

Whatever the reason, the truth is that the kidnapper treats the victim positively and is concerned to make their stay in captivity as unpleasant as possible. Often he acts as if he is not limiting the freedom of the other person , which makes the situation seem to be part of a delusion.

Some of the behaviours that kidnappers carry out to make the victim’s stay more pleasant are, for example, bringing very well prepared and nutritious food to the kidnapped person’s room, healing his or her wounds and, in general, being very attentive to his or her needs and even carrying out behaviours that would have nothing to do with a kidnapping. The kidnapper develops an attachment to the victim and is concerned about their well-being .

What is the origin of the term

The term Lima Syndrome was coined because of a couple of events in the Peruvian city of Lima. The first of these occurred when the Japanese embassy in Lima was occupied in 1996 by members of a terrorist group called the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA). Hundreds of people were held in the building. A few days later, the hostages were released one by one out of sympathy, even those considered very valuable.

There is another version of the origin of this syndrome. It turns out that a psychiatrist from Lima was kidnapped by an individual . The astute psychiatrist, who knows Stockholm syndrome, applied his knowledge in psychology to make the kidnapper feel sorry for him and treat him well.

What is Stockholm syndrome?

Stockholm syndrome is a similar phenomenon to Lima syndrome, but it occurs in reverse. In other words, it is not the kidnapper who feels sympathy and attachment to the kidnapped person, but the latter who feels it towards his or her captor. According to the psychiatrist’s own version, his knowledge of the human mind allowed him to develop his captor’s empathy so that he would finally free him.

Stockholm syndrome has been widely studied. An investigation by the FBI, which analysed data from 4,700 kidnapping victims, found that 27% of the cases develop this syndrome . There appear to be three determining factors in the development of this syndrome:

  • The duration of the kidnapping : more likely to suffer from it the longer the captivity.
  • Direct contact : the kidnappers have direct contact with the hostages. They do not isolate them.
  • Kind treatment : the kidnappers do not harm the hostages.

According to psychologist Pascual García Senderos: “What is surprising is that the individual who has been kidnapped and who is deprived of his freedom sides with the kidnapper and not with the rescuers. It seems incredible how a person who is a victim of kidnapping can develop an attachment to the person who has held him, but the truth is that the kidnapped person is probably grateful for having treated him well and not for having killed him”.