The release of two hostages by the FARC has been delayed because the rebels refuse to accept logistical support from Brazil for the humanitarian mission, local media reported on Sunday.
According to weekly magazine Semana, the government, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Catholic church, all involved in the operation, are perplexed by the FARC’s stance which is apparently delaying the release, promised for nearly eight months now, of soldier Pablo Emilio Moncayo.
Radio Station Caracol reported that Piedad Cordoba, mediator with the FARC, had informed the government that the FARC does not accept the South American country’s involvement. According to both media, it is unclear why the FARC rejects Brazil, as the country was favored by both rebels and government in previous hostage release operations.
The rebels want either Argentina or Sweden to provide the logistical support, which is difficult for the Colombian government, as a video-documentary, which according to local media was shot by Argentineans and shown in that country in October last year, is allegedly set to be shown in the European country.
The government now wants the FARC to officially and publicly reject Brazil’s provision of logistical support.