Members of the European Union praised Colombia for its handling of the FARC hostage release Monday, but called on the rebel group to release all of its remaining captives.
“The High Representative welcomes the release of 10 members of the security forces who have been kidnapped by the FARC and remained as hostages,” said a spokesman of the EU foreign policy official, Catherine Ashton.
Ashton called the FARC’s plan to stop the practice of kidnapping “promising” but demanded the “immediate and unconditional release of other hostages still in captivity.”
This sentiment echoed those of EU members France and Spain, which both praised the Santos administration for its handling of the crisis and requested the FARC release its remaining hostages.
Spain’s recently elected Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy expressed his support for Colombia and stated his “commitment to maintain close cooperation in the fight against terrorism.”
France’s Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, called for “the cessation of all acts of terrorism in Colombia,” and “the liberation of all hostages, the end of the recruitment of child soldiers and the use of anti-personnel mines.”
The FARC released the last 10 security force members in captivity Monday after months of negotiation. The hostages had been in captivity for over 12 years.