Piedad Cordoba has made her first official statement since Sunday’s failed FARC hostage release.
In a communication published through her website, and read by the former senator Tuesday evening, Cordoba reiterated her commitment and that of her organization, Colombians for Peace, to the “humanization of war.” This includes active participation in the the release of the remaining two hostages, Salin Sanmiguel and Guillermo Solorzano.
While she expressed her appreciation for President Juan Manuel Santos’ gesture in continuing the release efforts, her explanation of Sunday’s failed release diverged from that of the government.
Rather than placing blame with the FARC, as the government did, for providing the wrong coordinates for the release site, Cordoba instead said the reasons were, “logistical, technical, atmospheric, topographical and those of the conflict.”
When questioned by a journalist, Cordoba stated that the FARC had, “not failed,” and referred back to her statement which emphasises logistical difficulties, El Espectador reported.
Cordoba also reaffirmed her and her organization’s commitment to finding peaceful ways to ensure the release of all hostages, and peaceful resolutions with the ELN guerrilla group as well as the FARC.
This once again emphasizes the desire she expressed Sunday to act as mediator in any future peace negotiations between the government and the guerrillas.
Caracol Radio reports that Cordoba will now travel to the new base of operations, Cali, on Wednesday to assist in the final phase of the planned releases.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Brazilian helicopters that aided the release of the previous four hostages arrived in Cali after the government allowed the restart of the mission.
An official date for the operation is still to be announced.
