News of a Kidnapping begins in Bogotá, Colombia, in November 1990 with the abduction of Maruja Pachón de Villamizar and her sister-in-law, Beatriz Villamizar de Guerrero. Their kidnapping is part of a series of notable abductions orchestrated by Pablo Escobar's drug cartel, which started the previous August. The cartel aims to influence a new government policy that could result in their extradition to the United States if they surrender to Colombian authorities. These drug traffickers are collectively referred to as the Extraditables.

So far, eight individuals, primarily journalists, have been kidnapped and are being held hostage. Diana Turbay, along with her news team, fell into a trap on August 30 after being offered a chance to meet a guerrilla leader. Marina Montoya was kidnapped on September 18 outside her restaurant. Just four hours later, Francisco "Pacho" Santos was abducted from his vehicle.

Maruja and Beatriz are taken to a house in Bogotá, where they share a cramped room with Marina. During their captivity, they are generally treated poorly; for instance, they must speak only in whispers. Meanwhile, Pacho is detained in a different Bogotá house under more favorable conditions, with kind guards and regular access to books and newspapers. Diana's group, held in and around Medellín, is separated and frequently relocated throughout their captivity.