Caqueta governor found dead

The governor of the southern Colombian department of Caqueta, Luis Francisco Cuellar Carvajal, was found murdered in the rural part of his department on Tuesday. The FARC allegedly had kidnapped him the day before.

According to newscast CM&, the body of the politician was found by a member of the security forces taking part in the search for the governor.

The security forces were not able to immediately recover the body as it was found in the middle of a mind field, planted by the kidnappers apparently to avoid swift action by the authorities.

Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, who earlier Tuesday ordered his security forces to rescue Cuellar and other hostages held by guerrillas, blamed the FARC for the kidnapping.

Heavily armed men kidnapped Cuellar from his home in the department capital Florencia on Monday, after which Colombian authorities started a large-scale manhunt.

It is the first time since 2002 a Colombian politician of this caliber has been kidnapped.

Related posts

Former presidents of Colombia’s congress formally accused of corruption

Former president maintains control over Colombia’s Liberal Party

UN Security Council extends monitoring of Colombia’s peace process