The former governor of the Meta department, Alan Jara, rescinded his request Thursday for compensation from the government for the time he was held captive by the FARC.
Jara stated, “My constant concern has been to get from Congress and the state equal treatment in terms of protection for the families of other hostages. With my family we recognize President Juan Manuel Santos and the Congress for their positive attitude to legislate for the rights of victims and therefore I welcome current laws on the matter,” reported El Espectador.
He added furthermore that his decision to withdraw the case is in the spirit of reaching compromise with the state.
Jara, the governor of Meta from 1998-2000, was captured by the FARC on July 15, 2001, and held until February 3, 2009. Believing there to have been a lack of government foresight and significant flaws in the workings of the armed forces at his moment of capture, Jara submitted to the government on March 7 this year a request for compensation amounting to $4 million.
He had been working as part of a UN delegation when he was kidnapped in Meta.