A northeast Colombia state deputy has been released by alleged ELN guerrillas, hours after the local politician had been kidnapped, local police reported on Tuesday.
According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, Carlos Omar Angarita was set free following negotiations with the captors that involved local authorities and a local priest.
Angarita, a member of the Conservative Party, was kidnapped on Monday, outside of the town of Hacari in the Norte de Santander state following a meeting with locals.
MORE: State Deputy Kidnapped In Northeast Colombia
On his way back home, the politician’s car was intercepted by heavily armed men on the road to the town of Ocaña.
He was subsequently taken to an undisclosed location in the nearby mountains, police commander Colonel Eliecer Camacho told reporters.
The deputy was released to human rights workers and is reportedly unharmed.
Seven kidnappings have occurred so far this year in the troubled region of Catacumbo by the border with Venezuela. FARC is also present in the area.
Sources
- Eln libera a diputado regional secuestrado en Norte de Santander (Senal Radio Colombia)
- Diputado Carlos Omar Angarita fue liberado (El Universal)
