The European Union has called on the FARC to lay down their arms and release all prisoners, following the murder of four hostages during a rescue mission Saturday.
The organization’s head of foreign policy, Catherine Ashton, said, “We urge the FARC to lay down their arms and join the political process of reform and modernization of Colombia.
“Colombia can count on the support of the EU (…) for putting an end to violence and finding lasting peace for the whole country.”
Ashton condemned the “brutal assassination” of four FARC hostages on Saturday – security force members who had spent more than 12 years in captivity. “I want to express my profound solidarity with the families of the victims, with the government and with the Colombian people,” she said, adding a demand for “the immediate liberation of all kidnapped people still in captivity, without conditions.”