Colombians for Peace (CCP), an activist group led by former Senator Piedad Cordoba, urges the FARC to release all hostages, reports EFE.
Earlier this week the FARC announced in an open letter to Cordoba that it would release five hostages “in honor of the senator of peace [Cordoba].”
“We greet with hope the FARC’s announcement to release three members of the armed forces and two city council members,” said CCP in a public statement.
The group also said that the FARC’s move is “an expression of amends for the persecution and criminalization of peace workers, in particular the unfair dismissal of Senator Piedad Cordoba, our leader.”
“We are confident that Colombian society welcomes this decision with satisfaction,” said CCP, “and reiterate the request to soon return to their homes other captives who are in their power.”
On Thursday the government authorized Cordoba to facilitate the release of the captives.
According to Caracol Radio, Bruno Moro, U.N. representative in Colombia, offered the body’s assistance to guarantee the safe return of the captives. Moro said that this is a positive move by the guerrillas and he hopes it will improve the dialogue between the FARC and the government.