Colombia's FARC releases 2 more hostages

Colombia's FARC releases 2 more hostages

2011-02-17 09:36:50 GMT+7 (ICT)

BOGOTA, COLOMBIA (BNO NEWS) -- Two more hostages were released on Wednesday by Colombia's rebel group FARC, bringing the total number of freed hostages to 6 in the past week, officials said.

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, commonly known as FARC, released military officers Guillermo Solorzano and Salin Sanmiguel, ending the latest humanitarian operation to free FARC hostages.

The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed that the two individuals were handed over in a rural area located between Colombia's Cuaca and Valle. They were later transferred to Cali before arriving to Bogota, where they were reunited with their families.

Solorzano was kidnapped and held hostage since June 4, 2007, while Sanmiguel had been held since May 23, 2008. Their release comes only three days after a rescue operation failed due to errors and inaccurate coordinates regarding their suspected location.

During the last week, FARC also liberated military and police officers Marcos Baquero, Armando Acuña, Henry Lopez, and Carlos Ocampo. During the operations, the government of Brazil deployed two helicopters to be used for transporting the six individuals.

With 17 members of Colombia's military still being held hostage, government officials called for their immediate release.

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