Colombia’s Armed Forces searching the area around Fortul, the northern Colombian town where the mayor’s 10-year-old daughter was kidnapped over two weeks ago, suspended operations for one day Friday in order to facilitate the girl’s possible release.
According to El Espectador, troops agreed to suspend all operations in the area from 8AM to 5PM Friday, at the request of the government and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
A Red Cross delegate reported that the organization hopes to secure the release of Nhora Valentina Muñoz quite soon.
Following a meeting with the Nhora’s family, the delegate reportedly received permission to begin the negotiation process for her release.
Nhora, daughter of Fortul Mayor Jorge Muñoz, has been held captive since September 29. According to Mayor Muñoz, he recently received a call from the kidnappers and is feeling more secure about the girl’s safety.
“I am much calmer now that the uncertainty has gone … We know now who has her. At the moment I am not authorized to give information to the public, only to say that we have had first contact and that the girl is fine,” Muñoz told reporters October 3.
Muñoz did not disclose who he believes his daughter’s kidnappers might be.
The leftist guerrilla group FARC, which reportedly has a presence in the area, denied allegations that they are responsible for child’s kidnapping. The illegal armed group’s 10th Front issued a public statement on the organization’s website Thursday, claiming that the FARC is in no way involved.