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Q&A: Colombia hostage situation Q&A: Colombia hostage situation
(about 17 hours later)
Ingrid Betancourt's rescue in 2008 made international newsIngrid Betancourt's rescue in 2008 made international news
The abduction of people, either for political reasons or for ransom, has been common in Colombia in recent decades, earning the country notoriety as the kidnap centre of the world.The abduction of people, either for political reasons or for ransom, has been common in Colombia in recent decades, earning the country notoriety as the kidnap centre of the world.
By 2001, it was estimated that some 3,000 people were being seized each year by armed groups and drug-traffickers.By 2001, it was estimated that some 3,000 people were being seized each year by armed groups and drug-traffickers.
Since then, kidnappings have declined, although the exact number of people still in captivity is disputed.Since then, kidnappings have declined, although the exact number of people still in captivity is disputed.
On Sunday, href="/2/hi/americas/8592148.stm">Farc rebels handed over a soldier they had kidnapped a year ago. On Tuesday, href="/2/hi/americas/8595140.stm">Farc rebels handed over a soldier they had kidnapped 12 years ago.
What brought about the latest release?What brought about the latest release?
The Farc rebels spoke in April 2009 about freeing Pte Josue Daniel Calvo but there was no concrete development then. In recent weeks, speculation grew that Pte Calvo, who has spent a year in captivity, and another hostage, Pablo Emilio Moncayo, would be freed. Sgt Pablo Emilio Moncayo, who was 19 when he was seized by Farc guerrillas, was handed over to a humanitarian mission deep in the southern jungle.
His freedom came after Sunday's release of Pte Josue Daniel Calvo - the first in more than a year by the Farc rebels.
The negotiations were led by an opposition senator, Piedad Cordoba, who has been involved in previous missions to secure hostage releases.The negotiations were led by an opposition senator, Piedad Cordoba, who has been involved in previous missions to secure hostage releases.
Pte Calvo's release was the first in more than a year by the Farc rebels. Negotiators hope this unilateral gesture will be followed on Tuesday by the freeing of Sgt Moncayo, who was kidnapped in 1997 aged 19. Sgt Moncayo's father, Gustavo, class="inlineText" href="/2/hi/americas/6927098.stm">walked across Colombia in chains in 2007 to highlight the suffering of the hostages.
His father, Gustavo, walked across Colombia in chains in 2007 to highlight the suffering of the hostages.
How many people are being held hostage?How many people are being held hostage?
According to Fondelibertad, a department attached to the defence ministry and responsible for co-ordinating anti-kidnapping efforts, 79 people were definitely in captivity as of February 2010.According to Fondelibertad, a department attached to the defence ministry and responsible for co-ordinating anti-kidnapping efforts, 79 people were definitely in captivity as of February 2010.
Fondelibertad said their research showed that from the nearly 2,800 cases recorded in 2007:Fondelibertad said their research showed that from the nearly 2,800 cases recorded in 2007:
  • 1,148 people had been freed
  • 211 had died
  • 614 cases were unclear
  • 744 cases involved what Fondelibertad termed "forced disappearance" rather than kidnapping.
  • 1,148 people had been freed
  • 211 had died
  • 614 cases were unclear
  • 744 cases involved what Fondelibertad termed "forced disappearance" rather than kidnapping.
Their figures have been disputed by non-governmental organisations involved in monitoring kidnappings. Pais Libre and Nueva Esperanza said the dramatic drop in the kidnap figure was hard to believe.Their figures have been disputed by non-governmental organisations involved in monitoring kidnappings. Pais Libre and Nueva Esperanza said the dramatic drop in the kidnap figure was hard to believe.
Do we have any idea who is being held?Do we have any idea who is being held?
Guerrillas from the left-wing Revolutionary Armed Force of Colombia (Farc) are known to be holding some 20 police officers and soldiers whom they have long wanted to exchange for several hundred jailed guerrillas.Guerrillas from the left-wing Revolutionary Armed Force of Colombia (Farc) are known to be holding some 20 police officers and soldiers whom they have long wanted to exchange for several hundred jailed guerrillas.
Although most of the focus falls on the Farc, over the years kidnappings have been carried out by other armed groups as well as criminal gangs, often for ransom.Although most of the focus falls on the Farc, over the years kidnappings have been carried out by other armed groups as well as criminal gangs, often for ransom.
Does this latest development suggest there will be more releases?Does this latest development suggest there will be more releases?
The Farc guerrillas have indicated that they will now insist on a swap of the police and soldiers they hold for the jailed rebels.The Farc guerrillas have indicated that they will now insist on a swap of the police and soldiers they hold for the jailed rebels.
President Alvaro Uribe said after Pte Calvo's release that he could agree to prisoner exchanges between the government and the rebels, provided the freed guerrillas did not return to the rebels' ranks.President Alvaro Uribe said after Pte Calvo's release that he could agree to prisoner exchanges between the government and the rebels, provided the freed guerrillas did not return to the rebels' ranks.
There is unlikely to be any development on this until after Mr Uribe leaves office on 7 August and the new president, who will be chosen in elections at the end of May, is installed.There is unlikely to be any development on this until after Mr Uribe leaves office on 7 August and the new president, who will be chosen in elections at the end of May, is installed.
Have there been other unilateral releases in the past?Have there been other unilateral releases in the past?
Yes, the Farc has unilaterally freed some hostages. For example, in February 2009, several hostages, including four member of the armed forces and two politicians were freed. Yes, the Farc has unilaterally freed some hostages. For example, in February 2009, several hostages, including four member of the armed forces and two politicians were freed.
In January 2008, former congresswoman Consuelo Gonzalez and Clara Rojas, who was an aide to former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, were released after several years in guerrilla hands.In January 2008, former congresswoman Consuelo Gonzalez and Clara Rojas, who was an aide to former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, were released after several years in guerrilla hands.
Ms Rojas was subsequently reunited with her young son who was born in captivity.Ms Rojas was subsequently reunited with her young son who was born in captivity.
What about operations to free hostages?What about operations to free hostages?
The most dramatic and high-profile operation was in July 2008 when 15 hostages were rescued without a shot being fired after rebels holding them were tricked into handing them over.The most dramatic and high-profile operation was in July 2008 when 15 hostages were rescued without a shot being fired after rebels holding them were tricked into handing them over.
Pablo Emilio Moncayo was seen in a video that surfaced in 2007Pablo Emilio Moncayo was seen in a video that surfaced in 2007
They included Ingrid Betancourt, a French-Colombian politician, who was running for president when she was kidnapped in 2002.They included Ingrid Betancourt, a French-Colombian politician, who was running for president when she was kidnapped in 2002.
Also among the group were three American military contractors - Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes and Keith Stansell - and 11 members of Colombia's security forces.Also among the group were three American military contractors - Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes and Keith Stansell - and 11 members of Colombia's security forces.
It was a major blow for the Farc to lose such high-profile hostages. Prior to the rescue operation, the rebels were believed to be at their weakest point in years, following the death of their long-time leader, Manuel Marulanda, in March 2008.It was a major blow for the Farc to lose such high-profile hostages. Prior to the rescue operation, the rebels were believed to be at their weakest point in years, following the death of their long-time leader, Manuel Marulanda, in March 2008.
So is the era of hostage-taking largely over?So is the era of hostage-taking largely over?
It is clear that overall violence has lessened in recent years. But the Farc has shown it can still carry out attacks.It is clear that overall violence has lessened in recent years. But the Farc has shown it can still carry out attacks.
In December, a provincial governor was kidnapped in Caqueta, long a stronghold of the Farc, and found a day later with his throat slit.In December, a provincial governor was kidnapped in Caqueta, long a stronghold of the Farc, and found a day later with his throat slit.
A couple of weeks later, Farc said it had carried out the attack.A couple of weeks later, Farc said it had carried out the attack.
Does the plight of the hostages still resonate in Colombia after so many years?Does the plight of the hostages still resonate in Colombia after so many years?
Definitely. Colombian radio stations run programmes in which family members and friends can send messages they hope their kidnapped relatives will hear.Definitely. Colombian radio stations run programmes in which family members and friends can send messages they hope their kidnapped relatives will hear.
And any developments, such as reported moves towards any releases, are covered extensively by Colombian media.And any developments, such as reported moves towards any releases, are covered extensively by Colombian media.