Colombian rebel forces release video of hostages, one of them kidnapped over 12 years ago
June 8th, 2010 - 3:23 am ICT by BNO NewsBOGOTA, COLOMBIA (BNO NEWS) – Colombian revolutionary rebels released a video as proof that five hostages being held remain alive, including one who was taken hostage over 12 years ago, local media reported on Monday.
On December 21, 1997, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, better known as the FARC, attacked Mount Patascoy, taking Sargeant Libio Martinez hostage. During the guerrilla attack, 19-year-old Sargeant Pablo Moncayo was also taken hostage, but he was released late last March.
The video - which the FARC released on Sunday - was originally sent to Senator Piedad Cordoba. It was later transmitted to local TV stations. The video shows an emotional Martinez sending a message to his 12-year-old son, Johan Steven, who he has never met. His son was born shortly after he was kidnapped.
“He holds the country’s flag of dignity very high,” Martinez says, as he asks the military to give 35 percent of his salary to his son.
Steven, who has constantly participated in public protests to demand his father’s liberation, said during a TV interview, “To Mr. ‘Alfonso Cano,’ I’m asking you to allow me to hug my father.”
Four police officers taken hostage are also shown in the video, Colonel Edgar Yesid Duarte, Major Elkin Hernandez Rivas and Sargeants Alvaro Jose Moreno y Luis Alberto Erazo.
Hernandez explains in the video that the Government and the FARC should explore and reach a humanitarian agreement, which would liberate the group of hostages.
“To the people of Colombia who are about to elect a new President, may he be a man with great ability, leadership, and intelligence. May he fight with weapons of ideas,” said Hernandez, who was kidnapped on October 14, 1998 in Puajil.
The FARC currently hold 23 uniformed hostages, as the Government has continued its efforts to negotiate their release. But the Colombian government has insisted that those released must commit to not returning to guerrilla forces or filtrate others into the FARC.
“I do not want to be the last hostage to be liberated, rather the last one to be kidnapped,” Sargeant Marintez said.
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