Colombian rebels to free six hostages
January 31st, 2009 - 11:57 am ICT by IANSBogota, Jan 31 (IANS) Colombia’s largest leftist rebel group will free from its captivity six hostages, including two politicians and security personnel, EFE reported.The hostages will be released in three stages, Colombia’s Senator Piedad Cordoba said, adding that the four security personnel would be freed Sunday, while former governor Alan Jara and former lawmaker Sigifredo Lopez would be handed over Monday and Wednesday, respectively.
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) unilaterally announced the release of the six hostages five weeks ago.
A humanitarian mission, comprising Senator Cordoba and aid agency the Red Cross, among others, have already left for Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira town in Brazil to receive the hostages, the report said Friday.
The delegation will return to Colombia in civilian helicopters to be provided by the Brazilian authorities, it said.
The Red Cross Thursday called on the Colombian armed forces to suspend military operations for at least 36 hours in the areas where the hostages are to be released.
The FARC has been fighting the Colombian security forces for several decades to establish leftist rule in the country. Last year, the Colombian security forces rescued former presidential candidate and French-Colombian citizen Ingrid Betancourt from FARC’s captivity.
The US and the European Union have designated the FARC as foreign terrorist organisation.
- Colombia's FARC frees 10 captives - Apr 03, 2012
- Colombia's FARC rebels release four hostages - Feb 02, 2009
- Colombia rebels appear to soften terms for prisoner swap - Feb 10, 2009
- Colombian rebels to release long-held captive - Apr 17, 2009
- Colombian rebels release another politician hostage - Feb 06, 2009
- FARC rebels release French reporter - May 31, 2012
- Colombian boy walks 70 km to seek father's release - Jul 04, 2010
- Colombian rebels to release one of the longest held hostages in the world - Mar 30, 2010
- FARC rebels promise to release six hostages - Dec 22, 2008
- Colombian rebels release former provincial governor - Feb 04, 2009
- FARC rebels release Colombian soldier after one year - Mar 29, 2010
- Colombia extradites captured rebel, 9 others to US - Sep 20, 2009
- Colombian rebels free last foreign hostage - Mar 19, 2009
- Colombia's FARC rebels release four hostages, as planned - Feb 02, 2009
- Colombia's Ingrid Betancourt seeks divorce - Mar 17, 2009
Tags: betancourt, brazilian authorities, captivity, colombian rebels, colombian security forces, farc, helicopters, humanitarian mission, lawmaker, leftist rebel group, military operations, piedad cordoba, presidential candidate, red cross, revolutionary armed forces of colombia, revolutionary armed forces of colombia farc, sao gabriel da cachoeira, security personnel, six hostages, terrorist organisation