Colombia is waiting for the Red Cross and mediator Piedad Cordoba to give the green light before it signs the necessary security protocol for the FARC hostage release operation, a defense source told newspaper El Espectador.
According to an anonymous source consulted by the newspaper, the Red Cross did not give the green light because it wanted the Defense Ministry to consult with mediator Piedad Cordoba and her “Colombians for Peace” group first.
The Defense Ministry sent the protocol to the government on January 12, but has still not received approval, said the source.
This version of events contradicts the Red Cross’ claims reported RCN Radio on Friday that the security protocol had been approved and that the release operations could proceed after Defense Minister Rodrigo Rivera signed the protocol.
The FARC promised to release the hostages on December 8, but operations to secure the release of the three members of the security forces and two local politicians have not yet begun.
Mediator Piedad Cordoba has said on two occasions that she is waiting on the FARC to give her the coordinates hostag releases after which the FARC released a statement saying the guerrillas had still not received an agreed security protocol.