The operation to release two FARC hostages has been suspended,
spokesman of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Yves
Heller said Monday. The delay follows the chaotic release of four
members of the security forces Sunday and the dismissal of mediators by
the Government.
Heller didn’t discard the possibility that the original schedule will be picked up again later Monday.
The humanitarian mission, originally consisting of the ICRC and members of ‘Colombians for Peace’, a group of Colombian civilians that had brokered the release, would be picking up former Meta governor Alan Jara Monday and former Valle deputy Sigifredo Lopez Wednesday.
Members of ‘Colombians for Peace’ however were pulled out of the operation by the Colombian government, after they had accused the Army of having interfered the hostage release of four members of the security forces Sunday. The ICRC speaks of “some acts that caused tension”.
After the accusations, Colombian President Uribe said only the ICRC was allowed to go through with the operation, but allowed opposition senator Piedad Córdoba back in the mission after being asked to do so by the ICRC and members of the Jara and Lopez families.
The government admits that airforce aircraft were in the area at the time of the release, but stressed they were above the allowed altitude.