Colombia's FARC releases two soldiers to revive peace talks
Iran Press TV
Wed Nov 26, 2014 10:42AM GMT
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) have released two government soldiers, who had been captured a few weeks ago, in a bid to resume stalled peace talks with the government.
The soldiers, Paulo Cesar Rivera and Jonathan Andres Diaz, who had been captured in the restive eastern region of Arauca during combat on November 9, were freed on Tuesday with the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
"We're glad that these two people can shortly return to their homes, where their families await them," the head of the ICRC's Colombia delegation, Christoph Harnisch, said in a statement later in the day.
FARC has confirmed the soldiers' release in a statement urging the military operations in the region "to be suspended immediately so the liberation… can go ahead without problems and without risks to anyone."
Alzate along with his two companions, a corporal and an army adviser, were taken captive in the western region of Choco on November 16.
The peace talks between the government and FARC were suspended following the capture of the military personnel.
Talks will only resume if the rebel group immediately releases the captives, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos had earlier said.
The peace talks between the Colombian government and the rebels began in November 2012 in the Cuban capital, Havana.
FARC is Latin America's oldest rebel group and has been fighting the government since 1964.
MSM/HJL/HRB
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