Colombian president Álvaro Uribe has ordered the army and police forces
to intensify the search of hostages held the FARC and, against the will
of many families of hostages, seek military rescues of those held
captive.
A week after the liberations of six hostages, including politicians Alan Jara and Sigifredo Lopez, Uribe distances himself from the ‘soft’ approach and opts to use military strength in an attempt to push the FARC into a corner.
In a speech at the University of Medellín, Uribe’s home town, the president explained that he has given instrutions for “a permanent pressure on the kidnappers until they liberate all that are in their power”.
Families of people held hostage repeatedly have asked the Government not to try to free the hostages through military actions, because it would endanger the lives of those held captive. The FARC secretariat ordered its troops several times to kill a hostage in case of military intervention.
On Thursday, Uribe had already stated that he sees no future in a possible humanitary exchange, adding that if anyone is going to be released, it should be the FARC unilaterally setting free their hostages. As such, the head of state made it very unlikely that arrested FARC members are going to be released by the government.
Uribe says he is willing to begin peace negotiations with the FARC, once all hostages have been released.