The government of France confirmed that they have designated a delegate to mediate the release of captured journalist Romeo Langlois.
In an interview with Radio Caracol, the French ambassador to Colombia, Pierre Jean Vandoorne said the delegate, who remains unnamed, will be provided with training in order to negotiate the release of the reporter, who has been in FARC custody since April 28.
“What I can confirm is that one of the first acts of President [Francois] Hollande was to appoint a delegate to participate in this committee to free Langlois. He will be available as soon as the guerrillas give a positive sign for the release,” said Vandoorne. Socialist Francois Hollande was inaugrated as France’s new president Tuesday.
The ambassador confirmed that the French government was maintaining contact with Colombian officials and the Red Cross (ICRC). On Sunday, the FARC requested a committee comprised of the French representative, the ICRC and former minister Piedad Cordoba, who has experience in previous negotiations with the guerrilla group.
Langlois surrendered to FARC forces April 28 when the army platoon he was embedded with came under fire, wounding the reporter in the arm. He was in the southern department of Caqueta filming a documentary on counternarcotics operations for news network France 24.
