By Alicia Cruz Senior writer
theblackurbantimes.com
BOGOTA, Colombia – Four "political prisoners" being held by members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia are due to be released at any hour, according to the International Red Cross who is overseeing the release. The unnamed hostages are believed to be the three Colombian police officers and a soldier who were kidnapped about two years ago.
BOGOTA, Colombia – Four "political prisoners" being held by members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia are due to be released at any hour, according to the International Red Cross who is overseeing the release. The unnamed hostages are believed to be the three Colombian police officers and a soldier who were kidnapped about two years ago.
A spokesperson for the International Red Cross says a helicopter has departed to pick up the four hostages that Colombia's leftist rebels promised to free.
The police officers and soldier are among nine hostages the Revolutionary Armed F
orces of Colombia says it is freeing unilaterally.
The police officers and soldier are among nine hostages the Revolutionary Armed F
orces of Colombia says it is freeing unilaterally.The Red Cross says the soon-to-be freed hostages will be picked up on Sunday and flown to the provincial capital of Villavicencio in Colombia's eastern lowlands. The unilateral releases are the guerrillas' first in 
nearly a year, but analysts say chances for a peace dialogue with Colombia's government are far off.
nearly a year, but analysts say chances for a peace dialogue with Colombia's government are far off.Residents watch the departure of a Venezuelan helicopter with International Red Cross insignias at the airport in San Jose del Guaviare, in southern Colombia, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008. The helicopter is en route to pick up four rebel-held hostages who have spent more than six years in captivity. (AP Photo/William Fernando Martinez)
Colombian police Cpl. John Jairo Duran was released from captivity in July 2008 along with Colombian-French politician, former senator, anti-corruption activist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Ingrid Bentancourt. Both, along with several others, had been held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia for over 2,320 days. Operation Jaque went into effect on July 2, 2008 and freed 14 hostages.
I will update information on this story as it becomes available via the AP wire.
Afro-Colombiana wearing traditional Colombian dress at the mall in Cartagena.
Flickr.com
WOW! This is a very interesting article. You are a true asset to "theblackurbantimes.com" KEEP UP THE FANTASTIC WORK!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kevin. I sincerely appreciate that and you as a reader. If there's anything in particular you would like to see me write about feel free to let me know.
ReplyDelete