Risking two years of negotiations and progress, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has called off talks with rebel group FARC following the kidnapping of an army general on Sundas for whom Santos has called a search.

Santos announced that the peace negotiations had been suspended as the search began for Brig. Gen. Ruben Dario Alzate Mora, according to the BBC.

"Tomorrow negotiators were to travel to another round of talks in Havana," the Colombian president said Monday morning, according to Reuters. "I will tell them not to go and that the talks are suspended until these people are released."

Alzate is commander of the newly formed Titan Army Task Force, which is meant to combat FARC rebels and drug traffickers in the northern province of Choco. While visiting the small town of Las Mercedes in the province, mebers of FARC's 34th regiment allegedly kidnapped Alzate and all members of his entourage, Capt. Jorge Rodriguez Contreras and attorney Gloria Urrego, as they traveled via boat on the Atrato River.

Santos took to Twitter demanding the release of all hostages “safe and sound.”

According to Colombia Reports, Alzate was travelling to the region in civilian clothes and had asked the boat’s pilot, a low-ranking soldier, to go toward Las Mercedes despite warnings from the other army personnel with him. The area is part of a “Red Zone,” deemed so due to a high FARC presence. The pilot managed to escape and reported what he witnessed to a Colombian newspaper.

On Twitter, Santos also demanded Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon and commander of the armed forces Gen. Juan Pablo Rodriguez explain why Alzate disregarded protocols and headed to a Red Zone in civilian clothes.

The Associated Press reports the Colombian government has begun a search and rescue operation for the hostages. Santos ordered Pinzon and Rodriguez to report to Choco province as part of the mission.

Alzate’s capture is the most high profile kidnapping by FARC in the conflict’s more than 50 years.

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