The release operation led by former Senator Piedad Cordoba has picked up policeman Carlos Alberto Ocampo Perez in the first of three liberations due on Sunday.
According to Cordoba’s peace group, Colombians for Peace, the Red Cross delegation confirmed that the helicopter is now on its way back to Chapparol where it will refuel and continue its mission to retrieve the remaining two hostages, Salin Sanmiguel and Guillermo Solorzano.
Speaking to Tele Sur, Perez’s mother, Mery, said, “I spoke to him a few minutes ago and told him we are looking forward to his arrival in Bogota. We are grateful to God and very happy.”
Perez was not one of the original five to be freed this week with news of his release only coming on Saturday.
The mission left Ibague airport at 9:34AM Sunday morning on its way to the undisclosed release sites.
Sunday’s operation was temporarily delayed due to weather conditions forcing the helicopter to land in Chaparral.