Colombia Peace Deal: FARC Release Captured Colombian Soldier
In yet another gesture of goodwill toward Bogotá, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) on Wednesday freed a soldier who had been captured two weeks ago when he was on vacation in the country's southern jungles.
After suggestions that the guerilla group was violating its unilateral ceasefire and might in turn complicate the final stage of Colombia's peace process, the FARC released Jesús Rojas even though they had previously accused the soldier of spying, Reuters reported based on reports from the International Red Cross.
Rojas was set free in Caqueta province, where he had been taken into custody 14 days ago while visiting members of his family.
Christoph Harnisch, the head of the Colombian delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross, celebrated the breakthrough in a statement, El Comercio reported.
"We are very happy to have been able to assist in this release, which will allow this soldier to regain his freedom and reunite with his family," Harnisch said.
Colombian Defense Minister Luis Carlos Villegas, meanwhile, confirmed Rojas' liberation on social media, according to Terra Colombia.
"Soldier Rojas (is) in the hands of the International Committee of the Red Cross, headed toward San Vicente del Caguán (and is) in good health," Villegas telegraphed. "Welcome to freedom."
Even though the kidnapping occurred months ago, Villegas only confirmed the incident on Dec. 4, Terra Colombia noted. At the time, the minister admitted that the capture potentially could have a negative impact on the ongoing peace negotiations between the government and Bogotá, the news service added.
After an initial breakthrough in the talks in December, both sides are currently trying to iron out controversial points that include Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos' plan to submit a final deal to a plebiscite. Santos has said he wants a accord signed by March 23 and has signaled his willingness to call a bilateral ceasefire as soon as this year, Reuters recalled.
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