Colombian politicians are divided over the involvement of opposition
senator Piedad Cordoba in negotiations for the release of FARC hostage
Pablo Emilio Moncayo, following President Alvaro Uribe’s rejection of Cordoba’s participation.
The FARC insisted Wednesday that Cordoba, who had mediated the release of six other hostages this year, be involved in the operation “as a guarantee for transparency of the operation.”
The leader of political party Polo Democratico Alternativo, Carlos Gaviria, told W Radio that he would not hesitate to authorize Cordoba’s involvement in negotiations. He said it was regrettable that the issue be stalled by the will of the Presidnet and by the FARC alike. Gaviria defended the actions of Cordoba and the activist group she leads ‘Colombains for Peace’.
Liberal candidate Alfonso Gomez Mendez agreed, saying a person kept in captivity for more than 11 years was caught in the middle of political power play.
Bogota-based analyst Pablo Casas told press agency Reuters that Uribe is skeptical of Cordoba’s involvement because he “does not want to give either the
guerrillas or Cordoba the chance to profit, politically, from the
release of Moncayo”.
Conservative presidential candidate Carlos Holguin Sardi said that the FARC are in no position to make demands and that the government should not give in to them.
“Let’s call this for what it is,” said Holguin. “They are trying to gain political leverage from the liberation of a kidnapping victim,” he said, referring to Cordoba’s organization ‘Colombians for Peace’.
Senator and presidential candidate Hector Heli Rojas, said that “President Uribe should not play with fire” to indicate that he agrees with allowing Córdoba to attend the release of Moncayo.
