The mother of FARC hostage Pablo Emilio
In an interview with El Tiempo for Mother’s Day, Sunday, Moncayo’s mother, María Estela Cabrera, said that when she learned that Uribe will only authorize the Catholic Church and the International Red Cross to participate in the negotiation, she felt “infinite disappointment”.
“I asked myself how can there be so much inhumanity… for God’s sake, it’s a whole life!” she said.
The Colombian government has received criticism for not allowing opposition senator Piedad Cordoba
to mediate the release of Moncayo, who has been in FARC captivity
for more than 11 years. The release is deadlocked, because the FARC
insists Cordoba plays a role.
Gustavo Moncayo, the hostage’s father, announced he will try to meet with Uribe this week to discuss how to overcome the obstacles hindering the release.
“It is not fair that after 11 years of
suffering, we continue to suffer because of the whims of the groups involved. This is about the
release of a human being, it is a unilateral release, without conditions, the only request is that I, the father, and Senator Piedad Cordoba be present,” he said.
Cabrera said she has forgiven the FARC for the kidnap of her son. She added that she has not celebrated Mother’s Day since Moncayo was kidnapped.
“Mother’s Day is the most painful time for me, because while many mothers can hug their sons, I don’t have mine here so I can’t,” she said.