FARC Would Release 10 Officers
Through the website that releases the communications of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC for its Spanish acronym) announced yesterday that it will release the 10 hostages held in uniform, some of them almost 14 years.
If the decision of the FARC were carried out, they would release military official Luis Alfonso Beltran (held since the March 3, 1998), and police officers Cesar Augusto Lasso (November 1, 1998), Carlos Jose Duarte, Jose Libardo Forero, Jorge Humberto Romero and Jorge Trujillo Solarte; the last four are captive since July 10, 1999. Also, under captivity are the Army sergeants Luis Arturo Arcia (March 3, 1998), Robinson Salcedo Guarin (August 3, 1998) Luis Alfredo Moreno (August 3, 1998), and the superintendent of Police Wilson Rojas Medina (July 10, 1999).
The rebel group, had reported last December that would release the top six. Then he leaned back in a decision that fell ill in Colombia and that fueled a wave of criticism. That announcement came weeks after the rebels murdered Police Colonel Edgar Duarte, the highest of Police Elkin Hernandez, Mayor Alvaro Moreno Police and Army Sergeant Jose Martinez Libyan, on 26 November.
(BG)