Colombian rebel group FARC said Tuesday it regretted the death of four hostages executed by the guerrillas during a “demented rescue attempt ordered by the Colombian government”.
In a press statement on the guerrilla group’s website, the rebel commanders say they “profoundly regret the tragic outcome of the demented rescue attempt ordered by the Colombian government on November 26 in the department of Caqueta.”
It claimed Saturday’s army offensive, during which guerrillas shot four security force members it had been holding for more than 11 years, was an attempt to impede the captives’ imminent release.
“While we extend our feelings of sympathy to the families of [murdered hostages] Sergeant Libio Jose Martinez, Colonel Edgar Yezid Duarte, Mayor Elkin Hernandez and soldier Alvaro Moreno, we denounce before national and global opinion that this act was due to the rush of President [Juan Manuel] Santos and the military high command to prevent the imminent unilateral release,” the FARC command said.
Family of the murdered hostages have criticized both the FARC and the government for the death of their loved ones, who received a state funeral Tuesday.
Civilian organizations are organizing a march to protest the guerrilla group and call for end to Colombian violence, following the killings.