Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said the FARC lied during release negotiations for ten security force hostages, in a press release Sunday.
Santos’ comments came a day after Colombia’s largest guerrilla group the FARC said they would only release a group of long-held hostages — whose freedom they promised months ago — if peace negotiators were allowed to visit jailed guerrillas in Colombian prison.
In response Santos said, “Once again the FARC have lied to the families, the country, and the international community. Adding a new condition which was never presented as part of the liberation.”
The ten hostages have been held by the FARC for more than 12 years. Their release was promised last November and January, but the rebels have since delayed proceedings in various ways.
The President concluded by saying, “The National Government has always kept its word.”
Last month the FARC announced they would release all hostages and abandon the practise of kidnapping.
The Colombian government has maintained the release of all hostages by the FARC as a requirement for peace talks to begin.