Colombia’s Vice President Angelino Garzon said Thursday that the possible release of FARC hostages is a source of “joy” for the national government, but insisted that the armed guerrilla group impose no conditions to the release.
Former senator Piedad Cordoba announced Wednesday that she will have good news regarding members of the security forces held by the guerrillas in three weeks.
Garzon said he welcomed any act of peace from the armed guerrilla group, which is holding 21 members of the security forces and an unknown number of civilians hostage. The VP reiterated that the government is still open to peace talks if the FARC release the hostages and cease all terrorist activity.
“Anything that means freedom for the hostages, demobilization of people linked to illegal armed groups, will always be a matter of joy for the Government of Colombia, and anything implies violence, criminality, or terrorism will always be sad for the people of Colombia “
The vice president also demanded that FARC guerrillas change their mindset about taking hostages, but also that they stop the acts of violence committed in the country. He said that the guerrillas should unconditionally release the hostages.
“We reiterate our demand to illegal armed groups, including the guerrillas, to unconditionally release without any conditions all hostages, to cease the practice of kidnapping, terrorism and cease the practice of anti-personnel mines” said Vice President.
Garzon also called on illegal armed groups to release children and girls that throughout the years have been forcibly recruited, saying “what Colombia wants most is that no more violence or criminality.”
