General Alzate asks his military retirement after being released by FARC

Army Gen. Ruben Alzate. Reuters

The general released by the FARC in Colombia, whose capture led to the suspension of the peace process with the communist guerrillas, asked to the government his retirement from the military forces on Monday.

“For my military honor, as first virtue of the soldier I have respected, serving for more than 33 years of dedication and selflessness to our country, and for the love and respect for our military institution, that has been affected for this event, I have asked the national government my retirement from active service,” said Gen. Ruben Alzate.

The general acknowledged that he violated security protocols in his eagerness to approach communities of the department of Chocó, during his first address to the media.

“I must admit that my eagerness to serve and love for the Chocoan people led me not to apply the procedures that in terms of safety I should have taken in my displacement as a general of the Republic and commander of the Joint Task Force Titan,” he said.

After the liberation of Alzate, Corporal Jorge Rodriguez and attorney Gloria Urrego, the Government has sent to Cuba its negotiators to resume peace talks as soon as possible.