MOSCOW, November 24 (Sputnik) — Colombian military forces have halted military operations in the east of the region in order to ensure security during the liberation of hostages seized by the FARC (the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia).
"The move came after FARC guerrillas warned that increased military activity was jeopardizing the release of the two soldiers, captured on November 9 in the Arauca province, and of a Colombian general abducted with two others on November 16," Agence France-Presse reported.
The decision by the Colombian authorities followed the FARC's announcement on Sunday that the rebels would not free the hostages because of increased military activity in the Choco region where General Alzate was kidnapped.
"These communities have been practically besieged by the army," the FARC said in an official statement as cited by Agence France-Presse.
Time magazine points out that Colombian army general Ruben Dario Alzate had made an inexcusable tactical error, "as he met with villagers in rebel-infested territory on November 16 … dressed in Bermuda shorts, unarmed and without bodyguards." Predictably, the guerrillas grasped an opportunity to capture the high-ranking military official and "hauled the general into the jungle," the media source narrates.
"The national government, conforming to established protocols, has already suspended operations of the public force in the sector," read a statement by the Colombian Defense Ministry, as quoted by Agence France-Presse.
Two soldiers, captured by the FARC will be reportedly released on November 25, while General Alzate will be liberated at a later date. However, the rebels have not yet informed Colombian defense ministry officials where exactly the hostages would be handed over.
