Freed FARC hostage, Armando Acuña, has spoken to the media for the first time since being freed Friday, reports El Tiempo.
In an interview, former councilman Acuña stated “it is time to move forward on the path to peace and reconciliation so that we can resolve with dignity the Colombian conflict.”
Speaking to Caracol TV upon arrival in Florencia he acknowledged that “the road to peace is very long.”
Acuña futher requested that the FARC cease their use of kidnapping as a political tool and called for direct dialogue between the guerrillas, the government and the community.
Mediator Piedad Cordoba, who was part of the rescue mission, Tweeted “Acuna was very emotional in making his call for peace. I support his call in continuing to plant the seeds of peace. We are very happy.”
Acuña also spoke of his captivity, expressing surprise at the ease with which he was able to obtain medication when he was ill.
Acuña was released on Friday morning at an undisclosed location. The release operation then proceeded to another site where they collected former marine Henry Lopez Martinez.
The two were flown to Florencia and are now due to be flown on to Bogota where they will be reunited with their families.
The release efforts are due to finish on Sunday with the release of the final two hostages.