The FARC rebel group on Thursday said that a Colombian general held by the group will be released Sunday, a day later than the date announced by President Juan Manuel Santos.
General Ruben Dario Alzate, held by the FARC in the western state of Choco since November 16, along with his two companions, will be able to “embrace their families” by this weekend, the rebels said in a tweet.
PROFILE: General Ruben Dario Alzate
The guerrillas were critical of the media portrayal of the detention of the general, denying that he was a “hostage” or that he was “kidnapped,” and rhetorically asked when their captured comrades could embrace their families.
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“A military commander, who has thousands of men under his command, who has military technology, bombers, dozens of armed helicopters, ships and boats with firepower, captured in his own theater of operations, cannot be called ‘kidnapped’, please, gentlemen directors of the media,” the FARC wrote.
Santos announced Wednesday that he had ordered a suspension of military operations on the Pacific coast and claimed that General Alzate, held by the FARC since November 16, will be released this Saturday.
MORE: Colombia general held by FARC to be released Saturday
Local media reported Wednesday that both the government and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) had received the coordinates of their location.
The military has reportedly halted military operations in the coastal state of Choco, as well as the more southern Valle de Cauca and Cauca states, in order to facilitate the general’s release, according to Blu Radio.
The announcement of the agreement between the FARC and the government to hand over the general and his companions was made by the member of the Delegation of Guarantors of Norway at a press conference last week in Havana, Cuba where the talks are held.
MORE: Colombia peace talks guarantors announce FARC will release general, 4 other captives
