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Farc rebels free Colombian army general in boost for Cuba peace talks Farc rebels free Colombian army general in boost for Cuba peace talks
(35 minutes later)
Colombia’s largest rebel group has freed an army general and two others whose capture led President Juan Manuel Santos to break off peace talks.Colombia’s largest rebel group has freed an army general and two others whose capture led President Juan Manuel Santos to break off peace talks.
Santos said in a message posted on Twitter on Sunday that General Ruben Alzate and two others taken captive by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) have been handed over to a humanitarian mission led by the International Red Cross. He said the three were in good health and would be reunited with their families soon. The rebels liberated two captive soldiers on Tuesday. Santos said in a message posted on Twitter on Sunday that General Rubén Alzate and two others taken captive by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) have been handed over to a humanitarian mission led by the International Red Cross. He said the three were in good health and would be reunited with their families soon. The rebels liberated two captive soldiers on Tuesday.
“Alzate, lawyer Urrego and Corporal Rodriguez freed in perfect conditions and awaiting the right weather conditions for the return to their families,” Santos wrote. “Alzate, lawyer Urrego and Corporal Rodríguez freed in perfect conditions and awaiting the right weather conditions for the return to their families,” Santos wrote.
There was no immediate confirmation from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) which is overseeing the release.There was no immediate confirmation from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) which is overseeing the release.
Santos had conditioned the resumption of peace talks taking place in Cuba on the safe return of the general.Santos had conditioned the resumption of peace talks taking place in Cuba on the safe return of the general.
The Farc negotiating team in Cuba has said it is eager to restart talks. However, the group’s leader, Rodrigo Londono, known by the nom de guerre “Timochenko”, released a statement last week saying Santos had violated a general agreement stating that the talks must not be interrupted. The Farc negotiating team in Cuba has said it is eager to restart talks. However, the group’s leader, Rodrigo Londoño, known by the nom de guerre “Timochenko”, released a statement last week saying Santos had violated a general agreement stating that the talks must not be interrupted.
Alzate, a US-trained counterinsurgency expert, was snatched by the rebels 14 days ago, while traveling on the remote Atrito River in western Colombia. He was the highest-ranking military officer seized by the rebel group in 50 years of insurgent fighting.Alzate, a US-trained counterinsurgency expert, was snatched by the rebels 14 days ago, while traveling on the remote Atrito River in western Colombia. He was the highest-ranking military officer seized by the rebel group in 50 years of insurgent fighting.
Now free, the 55-year-old will have to answer questions about why he apparently violated military protocol and ventured into rebel-dominated territory dressed as a civilian and without his normal security detail.Now free, the 55-year-old will have to answer questions about why he apparently violated military protocol and ventured into rebel-dominated territory dressed as a civilian and without his normal security detail.