Colombian soldier Josue Daniel Calvo, who was released from FARC custody on Sunday, is reported to have been shot five times during his kidnapping at the hands of the FARC.
According to medical sources at the Military Hospital in Bogota, where Calvo was transported following his release, the 22 year old soldier suffered three bullet wounds to his left leg, one to his right, and one to his buttocks, reports W Radio on Monday.
According to hospital director Col. Nora Ines Rodriguez, while the soldier also suffered from two episodes of malaria and one of leishmaniasis during his time in a FARC jungle prison, he is in relatively good and stable condition. “His vital signs are normal, he has a mild state of dehydration, but has no evidence of active disease.”
Calvo is expected to spend the next five to eight days in the hospital, undergoing tests from medical specialists.
Josue Daniel Calvo was released by Colombia’s largest rebel group the FARC on Sunday, after spending a year in captivity. He is the first hostage to be released in over a year.
Participating in the release operation was Piedad Cordoba and fellow members of peace group Colombians for Peace, members of the Red Cross, and a representative from the Catholic Church.
According to Cordoba, who, together with the Church, had mediated the release, said that there had been rumors the government had sent helicopters to the area where the release were to take place, which goes against the security protocols established between the government and the FARC.
According to Colombia’s High Commissioner of Peace, Frank Pearl, the Colombian military did not conduct any flights over the area where Calvo was released, and that the aircraft the FARC had referred to were commercial airplanes.
The release of Calvo and a second hostage, Pablo Emilio Moncayo, has been stalled for almost a year, as the government and the FARC had difficulties coming to an agreement on the conditions for a release.
It is expected that Moncayo, who has been in FARC custody for 12 years, will be released on Tuesday.