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Colombian army accuses ELN rebels as six people kidnapped
BOGOTA, Aug 4, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – ELN Marxist guerrillas on Friday claimed
the kidnapping of six people including three police officers and a soldier in
the lawless jungle area of northern Colombia.
The six people were traveling in a boat on the river Arquia when they were
“illegally detained by armed men wearing military uniforms,” Colombia’s army
said.
The kidnapping took place just two days after outgoing President Juan
Manuel Santos admitted defeat in his bid to sign a ceasefire with the
National Liberation Army rebels ahead of his handing over power to hardline
right-wing successor Ivan Duque on Tuesday.
ELN Western War Front commander Omar Gomez confirmed his group was
responsible in an audio recording sent to journalists.
“We will do everything possible to keep these gentlemen safe, giving them
the best treatment we can,” he said in the clip.
The two sides released a joint statement following the Cuban-hosted talks
saying that “significant progress has been made.”
On Wednesday, Santos had said there was “very little missing” from an
agreement.
President-elect Duque however has called for a tougher stance on
negotiations with the ELN, the last militant group fighting authorities in
Colombia following the historic 2016 peace agreement signed with larger FARC
guerrillas.
The army said the kidnapped soldier was on the boat suffering from a
tropical disease, and was in was need of “urgent treatment.”
BSS/AFP/SSS/0900 hrs