The FARC blame the Colombian government for the standstill in negotiations for the liberation of hostages, according to a press release released by the guerrilla organization.
The rebel group responded to accusations by Colombian High Commissioner for Peace Frank Pearl that delays in hostage negotiations were due to the FARC’s unwillingness to compromise.
“Each day, each hour that the the liberation of [hostages] Moncayo and Calvo is delayed, it is the exclusive responsibility of the Uribe government. The government is the one that has thrown a spanner in the works, first with their inflexibility and now with new, absurd and unacceptable demands,” the FARC claim.
The FARC first announced they would liberate hostages over six months ago. There is a stalemate in negotiations because the government and the FARC are unable to reach a compromise on the terms of the hostage release. The government demands a guarantee that 24 hostages will be released while the FARC demand the release of jailed guerrillas in return.