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Colombian Rebels Holding an American Colombian Rebels Holding an American
(about 1 hour later)
CARACAS, Venezuela — The United States ambassador to Colombia demanded on Saturday that the country’s largest rebel group quickly release a former American service member whom the militants say they have been holding since last month. CARACAS, Venezuela — The United States ambassador to Colombia demanded Saturday that the country’s largest rebel group quickly release a former American service member whom the militants say they have been holding since last month.
The group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as the FARC, had announced on Friday that it was holding the man and that it planned to release him as a sign of good will during continuing peace talks with the government. The group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as the FARC, said Friday that it was holding the man and that it planned to release him as a sign of good will during peace talks with the government.
In a communiqué posted on its Web site, the group identified the American as Kevin Scott Sutay and said he had served in the United States military from November 2009 until last March and had participated in the war in Afghanistan. It said he was an expert in land mine removal.In a communiqué posted on its Web site, the group identified the American as Kevin Scott Sutay and said he had served in the United States military from November 2009 until last March and had participated in the war in Afghanistan. It said he was an expert in land mine removal.
On Saturday, the United States Embassy in Bogotá released a statement saying, “We condemn the kidnapping of this civilian and demand his prompt release.” It added that Mr. Sutay had no current ties with American armed forces. The American ambassador, P. Michael McKinley, told local reporters that Mr. Sutay appeared to have been on a trip through Latin America. On Saturday, the United States Embassy in Bogotá released a statement saying, “We condemn the kidnapping of this civilian and demand his prompt release.” It added that Mr. Sutay had no current ties with American armed forces.
But the FARC said Mr. Sutay’s presence in the region was proof of the participation in Colombia of “American soldiers and mercenaries in counterinsurgency operations” in the guise of private contractors. It did not offer evidence to back up that conclusion. The American ambassador, P. Michael McKinley, told local reporters that Mr. Sutay appeared to have been on a trip through Latin America. An American official said he had served in the Navy.
The FARC said Mr. Sutay’s presence in the region was proof of the participation in Colombia of “American soldiers and mercenaries in counterinsurgency operations” in the guise of private contractors.
The FARC said that although it had the right to hold Mr. Sutay as a prisoner of war, it would release him “as a gesture within the framework” of the peace talks.The FARC said that although it had the right to hold Mr. Sutay as a prisoner of war, it would release him “as a gesture within the framework” of the peace talks.
Mr. Sutay entered Colombia on June 8, according to the group’s statement. It said he was taken hostage on June 20 in Guaviare Department, southeast of Bogotá, the capital. The statement also said he had been born in New York. Mr. Sutay entered Colombia on June 8, according to the group’s statement, and was taken hostage on June 20 in Guaviare Department, southeast of Bogotá, the capital. The statement also said he had been born in New York.
The FARC has been at war with the government of Colombia for nearly 50 years. President Juan Manuel Santos announced the start of peace talks last year, and they have been taking place in Havana. The FARC has been at war with the government of Colombia for nearly 50 years. The United States has supported Colombia in that fight with billions of dollars in aid and, at times, hundreds of troops and private contractors.
The rebels for many years carried out a campaign of kidnappings for ransom, which, along with drug trafficking, was a major source of income. Last year the group said it would stop ransom kidnappings. It also freed what it said were its last police and military hostages. Advocacy groups in Colombia, however, say hundreds of kidnapped victims are still missing. For many years, the rebels carried out a campaign of kidnappings for ransom, which, along with drug trafficking, was a major source of income. Three American military contractors were kidnapped by the FARC in 2003 and rescued in a 2008 raid.
Last year the group said it would stop ransom kidnappings, and it freed what it said were its last police and military hostages.

Susan Abad contributed reporting from Bogotá, Colombia, and Michael R. Gordon from Washington.

Susan Abad contributed reporting from Bogotá, Colombia, and Michael R. Gordon from Washington.