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Colombia’s FARC to Release Hostages

© AP Photo / Colombian Army press officeColombian Army General Ruben Dario Alzate (left) and two soldiers were abducted by FARC guerrillas on November 16.
Colombian Army General Ruben Dario Alzate (left) and two soldiers were abducted by FARC guerrillas on November 16. - Sputnik International
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Colombian military forces have suspended operations in the east of the country in order to secure the liberation of soldiers and an army general kidnapped by FARC guerrillas. The rebels have not yet informed defense military officials where the captives would be handed over.

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.

Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos has been reelected in 2014 on the promise to renew the stagnating peace process in the country. - Sputnik International
Colombia-FARC Talks Suspended Over Abduction of Army General
Meanwhile, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has claimed that the two-year peace talks between the FARC and the Colombian government would be restarted on the condition of liberation of all the hostages held by the guerrillas. The 50-year confrontation has resulted in the deaths of 220,000 people.

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.

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