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Colombia ELN hostage release 'under way' Colombia ELN hostage release plans disputed
(about 11 hours later)
Colombia's second-biggest rebel group has begun the process of releasing a hostage, a key condition for the start of peace talks with the government, officials say. The second-biggest rebel group in Colombia has clashed with the government over when to release a hostage whose freedom is a key condition for peace talks.
Former congressman Odin Sanchez has been held by the National Liberation Army (ELN) since he volunteered to swap places with his ill brother in April. Ex-congressman Odin Sanchez has been held by the National Liberation Army (ELN) since he offered to swap places with his ailing brother in April.
The peace talks were due to begin on Thursday in Ecuador. President Juan Manuel Santos said Mr Sanchez had to be released before peace talks could start in Ecuador.
But President Juan Manuel Santos said Mr Sanchez had to be released first. The ELN has reacted angrily.
The government remained committed to "advancing with this process", he added. Chief negotiator Israel Ramirez, also known as Pablo Beltran, accused the government of changing its requirements "at the last minute".
"This gentleman will be released during the first round of talks," Mr Beltran told a Colombian radio station. "That is what we committed to do."
On Thursday the Red Cross and Roman Catholic Church began working with the guerrilla group to release Mr Sanchez but it was not clear when the operation would finish.
Who are the ELN rebels?Who are the ELN rebels?
How significant is Colombia's ELN rebel group?How significant is Colombia's ELN rebel group?
The talks, originally scheduled to start in May, were delayed after the ELN rebels failed to meet the government's demand that the guerrillas stop kidnapping people. When Mr Ramirez was interviewed on Blu radio station, he refused to be drawn on how many hostages the ELN still had, saying only that the numbers were "very few".
The ELN, who are the second largest rebel group in the country after the Farc, made a commitment not to carry out any more kidnappings and the two sides set a date of 27 October to start formal talks in neighbouring Ecuador. Mr Sanchez had been thought to be the last. He handed himself over to the rebels in April in exchange for the release of his brother Patrocinio, a former governor of north-western Choco province, held by the rebels for almost three years.
But Mr Restrepo told Colombian radio on Monday: "If Odin Sanchez isn't released safe and sound between now and Thursday, the conditions will not be in place to begin the public phase of the negotiations."
In response, the ELN accused the government of "torpedoing" the negotiations.
Mr Sanchez handed himself in to the rebels in April in exchange for the release of his brother Patrocinio.
The former governor of north-western Choco province, Patrocinio Sanchez, was held by the rebels for almost three years and had fallen ill when his brother suggested the swap.
On Thursday, Mr Restrepo announced that the Red Cross, with help from the Catholic Church, were carrying out a release operation.
He did not indicate how long it would take but said talks would not begin until Mr Sanchez was returned "safe and sound".
He said the government hoped it Mr Sanchez would be free in time for a talks commencement ceremony on 3 November.
The government is struggling not only to salvage the peace talks with the ELN but also a deal struck with Colombia's largest rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).The government is struggling not only to salvage the peace talks with the ELN but also a deal struck with Colombia's largest rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).
The Farc and the government signed a peace deal last month but the agreement was rejected by Colombians in a popular vote on 2 October.The Farc and the government signed a peace deal last month but the agreement was rejected by Colombians in a popular vote on 2 October.
Farc and government negotiators are now trying to reach a new agreement which is acceptable to those who voted "no".
More than 260,000 people have died in Colombia's armed conflict which has pitted left-wing rebels against right-wing paramilitaries and the security forces.More than 260,000 people have died in Colombia's armed conflict which has pitted left-wing rebels against right-wing paramilitaries and the security forces.