The FARC have released former marine Henry Lopez Martinez, the third of five hostages to be released this week, as Friday’s operation is a success, the Red Cross confirmed to Tele Sur on Friday.
Lopez is reported to be in good health.
Earlier on Friday, the humanitarian mission picked up former councilman Armando Acuña from a separate unknown release site.
The two liberated men are now being flown back to their families who are awaiting their return in Bogota.
The final two hostages are due to be released on Sunday from a separate location in Colombia.
Should the final phase be successful, it is expected that the five will be received by President Juan Manuel Santos on Sunday at the presidential palace of Nariño in Bogota.
The five hostages being released this week comprise part of a group of 19 “exchangeable” political hostages the rebels hope to swap for hundreds of imprisoned guerrillas. The guerrilla group is also suspected of holding hundreds of civilians captive for extortion purposes.
