Colombia offers $40,000 for help finding kidnapped 11-year-old daughter of security official

BOGOTA, Colombia – Colombian authorities are offering $40,000 for help finding the kidnapped daughter of a high-profile security official.

The 11-year-old girl was kidnapped Thursday afternoon in the northern city of Cucuta, on the border with Venezuela. Her father, Diego Mora, is the director of Colombia's National Protection Unit, which is in charge of protecting high-profile public figures, including ministers and members of congress.

National police director Rodolfo Palomino announced the reward Friday. He said the girl had been in a car with her driver Thursday when a group of men entered the vehicle. He declined to say whether the kidnappers had contacted the family.

"We're doing everything we can to bring her home," he said.

President Juan Manual Santos said police are working their hardest to find the girl and have been in constant contact with the family.

"It is the fervent wish of all Colombians that this girl's life be respected," he said. "It's a terrible event."

Interior Minister Juan Fernando Cristo has traveled to Cucuta, and is imploring that there be no more kidnappings.