Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos appointed Eduardo Pizarro to mediate the promised release of FARC hostages on behalf of the government.
Pizarro is currently the head of the National Commission for Reparation and Reconciliation, and will “act as intermediary in the liberation process of these hostages,” according to a press release.
Santos said he met with former Senator Piedad Cordoba to reiterate “her authorization so that she proceeds with the efforts to receive” five hostages who the FARC last week announced that they would release.
“In his meeting, the president and doctor Piedad Cordoba agreed that to guarantee the success of the process, it must be carried out with absolute discretion,” the press release said.
The government said it hopes “the release announced by the FARC will take place as soon as possible” and “reiterates its call to immediately release all hostages in Colombia.”
The FARC announced the release of hostages to support Cordoba, who was barred from holding public office by the country’s inspector general for her alleged ties to the rebel group.