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Colombian general 'freed by rebels' | Colombian general 'freed by rebels' |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Farc rebels in Colombia have released a general and two others who were abducted two weeks ago, the president says. | Farc rebels in Colombia have released a general and two others who were abducted two weeks ago, the president says. |
Gen Ruben Dario Alzate and the other captives were handed over to a humanitarian mission led by the International Red Cross, President Juan Manuel Santos said on Twitter. | Gen Ruben Dario Alzate and the other captives were handed over to a humanitarian mission led by the International Red Cross, President Juan Manuel Santos said on Twitter. |
All three were in good health. | All three were in good health. |
Gen Alzate's abduction on 16 November prompted the president to suspend peace talks with the rebels in Cuba. | Gen Alzate's abduction on 16 November prompted the president to suspend peace talks with the rebels in Cuba. |
The three hostages have now been taken to a military base in the city of Medellin. | |
Pastor Alape, a Farc negotiator and commander of the rebel block responsible for the abductions travelled from Cuba to personally co-ordinate the release of the hostages. | |
The Red Cross confirmed that the handover had taken place in a remote location in Choco province, an isolated jungle region on Colombia's Pacific Coast. | |
Mr Santos had said that he expected the hostages to be freed earlier in the week. | Mr Santos had said that he expected the hostages to be freed earlier in the week. |
The Farc cancelled the operation, blaming a "heavy military presence" in the area where the hostages were being held. | |
Mr Santos said that the peace talks would resume once Gen Alzate and his companions were safely home. | Mr Santos said that the peace talks would resume once Gen Alzate and his companions were safely home. |
But Farc negotiators said they were not happy with the way the government dealt with the incident. | |
"We can't be in the hands of the government, which decides when to suspend and when to reopen the negotiations," Farc delegate Jesus Santrich told Venezuelan channel Telesur. | |
"There is no set date as yet for the talks to be resumed," he added. | |
In a statement released in Havana, the rebels said: "We can't let the peace process that has reached such an advanced state, where key issues are being discussed, be subject to such rushed, thoughtless actions''. | |
The Farc has renewed calls for both sides to call a ceasefire while the peace negotiations proceed. | |
The government has rejected such calls, saying that a truce would only help the rebel group regroup and rearm. | |
Gen Alzate, Cpl Jorge Rodriguez and lawyer Gloria Urrego were kidnapped 14 days ago while travelling along the Atrato river by boat. | Gen Alzate, Cpl Jorge Rodriguez and lawyer Gloria Urrego were kidnapped 14 days ago while travelling along the Atrato river by boat. |
On Saturday, the Farc announced in Havana that the "special humanitarian protocol" to free the three hostages had been activated. | On Saturday, the Farc announced in Havana that the "special humanitarian protocol" to free the three hostages had been activated. |
The protocol is well known in Colombia and usually involves the Farc giving the government co-ordinates for the handover point. | The protocol is well known in Colombia and usually involves the Farc giving the government co-ordinates for the handover point. |
The Colombian president then orders a ceasefire in the area for around 48 hours. | The Colombian president then orders a ceasefire in the area for around 48 hours. |
Once military operations have stopped, the hostages are released to the Red Cross for a medical check before being taken to safety. | Once military operations have stopped, the hostages are released to the Red Cross for a medical check before being taken to safety. |
The Farc had said that it kidnapped the general because it was unhappy that President Santos continued the military operation against them during peace talks. | The Farc had said that it kidnapped the general because it was unhappy that President Santos continued the military operation against them during peace talks. |
The negotiations in Havana have been under way for two years and aim to bring an end to five decades of conflict. | The negotiations in Havana have been under way for two years and aim to bring an end to five decades of conflict. |