After Sunday’s failed release operation and the subsequent delays and negotiations, the last two FARC hostages whose release was planned are finally on their way home.
Army Corporal Salin Sanmiguel and police chief Guillermo Solorzano were retrieved from a secret release site between the departments Cauca and Valle del Cauca, reports Tele Sur.
Christophe Beney, the head of the Red Cross delegation, said, “We are pleased that the families can be with their loved ones after waiting so long.”
Both men are reported to be in good health.
The two men will be now flown back to the base of operations in Cali where they will change aircraft before travelling to Bogota to be reunited with their families.
After arriving in Bogota, the men will have to spend eight days in military hospital undergoing medical checks and psychological analysis. Only then will they be allowed to return to their homes.
The release mission departed from Cali on Wednesday at 10:53AM after the government gave the green light on Tuesday for a resumption of operations.
Piedad Cordoba confirmed prior to departure that all military operations had been ceased in the area since 9PM Tuesday.
Cordoba broke her silence on Tuesday evening, delivering a press conference that reaffirmed her commitment to the liberation of all hostages. This came after suspicion that she would withdraw from this particular release effort.
The former senator commented reasons behind Sunday’s failure, citing “logistical, technical and atmospheric” problems rather than a failure by the FARC to provide coordinates.
The FARC reiterated this perspective in a statement they released on Wednesday morning, adding that they would also conduct an investigation into what took place.
Update 4:32PM
The newly liberated men are now in flight to Bogota, reports El Pais. Only minutes after touching down in Cali they were transferred to a Colombian Air Force aircraft and departed.
According to El Tiempo, Solorzano and Sanmiguel have spoken to their families already via satellite phone from the release site.
