By Paula Buzzi
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America
VILLAVICENCIO, Colombia – 10 hostages, including six police officers and four soldiers, were freed this week after being held in captivity for over a decade in the Colombian jungle by the leftists Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Their release comes after numerous failed peace negotiations with the Colombian government and the FARC’s announcement on February 26 that it would halt ransom kidnappings.
The freed hostages were picked up in a secret jungle rendezvous point in Villavicencio by a loaned Brazilian air force helicopter, and were taken to Bogota to be reunited with their family and friends. Some of the hostages were unable to walk on their own and had to be accompanied by nurses.
Olivia Solarte, the mother of 41-year-old former hostage and police officer, “Trujillo,” was overjoyed when she found out her son had been freed after being held captive since 1999. “I shouted! I jumped up and down!,” she told reporters. Solarte was among many relatives waiting at the airport for the arrival of the freed hostages.
The FARC is Colombia’s oldest and most powerful guerilla, and has been at war with the Colombian government since it first took up arms in 1964. The FARC has become notorious for kidnapping government forces and civilians and holding them ransom in exchange for money and other demands. The Colombian government has had at least two serious peace negotiations with the FARC over the past three decades but both negotiations ended unsuccessfully.
Due to military setbacks, such as changes in top command officers, the FARC has become noticeably weaker in the past recent years. On February 26, FARC leaders announced that they would release hostages and stop the kidnappings — a move some people see as a genuine step towards peace. “I don’t know if that brings Colombia closer to peace, I don’t know if things will end well or not, but do I know [the hostages’ release] proves the Farc wants to negotiate,” says Ariel Avila, from Corporacion Nuevo Arcoiris.
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos is weary about the FARC’s new commitment to peace, emphasizing that hundreds of civilians are still believed to be held captive by the FARC. “Make no mistake: this government has a policy, which consists in facing the violent groups with all its might,” he said.
The citizens’ watchdog group Fundacion Pais Libre says that at least 400 people have been kidnapped since 1996 that have yet to be freed. Fundacion Pais Libre maintains the list of people kidnapped and does not expunge a name from its records until the person is released or until their body has been found.
For further information, please see:
BBC News – Colombian Hostages’ Long Wait For Freedom – 04 April 2011
CNN – Freed Colombian Hostages Carry Pets Tamed In The Jungle – 04 April 2012
Fox News – Colombia Rebel Group Frees Captives Held For 12 Years – 03 April 2012
The New York Times – Colombian Rebels Free 10, Raising Hopes of Peace Talks With Government – 02 April 2012
