BOGOTÁ, Aug 29, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The Colombian army currently has no plans to rescue a French Foreign Legion soldier who was kidnapped in a guerrilla zone this month, a colonel told AFP on Friday.

Jose Olger Melo Charry was taken hostage on August 6 while traveling along a road in the southwestern Narino department, an army report seen by AFP stated.

Those responsible are believed to be the Estado Mayor Central (EMC) -- the main breakaway faction of the now-defunct rebel army FARC which laid down arms in a historic 2016 peace deal.

"For the moment, no military operation is planned" to rescue the man in his thirties, Colonel Mauricio Osorio, head of an anti-kidnapping division, told AFP.

The soldier's family has not received proof of life or a demand for money in exchange for their relative's release, he said.

Melo Charry had arrived in Colombia one day before his abduction and was traveling with a woman who was also seized but released hours later, Osorio added.

The rebels took him after realizing that he belonged to the French Foreign Legion, according to the army report.

A spokesperson for the French armed forces ministry told AFP it was monitoring the case closely, along with the foreign ministry.

Osorio told Blu Radio on Thursday that Melo Charry joined the French army four years ago and was on leave in his native country.

The soldier holds the rank of corporal, Osorio said, and holds only Colombian citizenship, according to the French armed forces ministry. Initial reports had said he was French-Colombian.

The French Foreign Legion allows foreign recruits to apply for French citizenship after five years' service.

The group blamed for the kidnapping is commanded by a man known as Ivan Mordisco, Colombia's most-wanted guerrilla.

The country's armed groups, which are mainly involved in drug trafficking and illegal mining, use kidnapping for extortion or to pressure authorities.

Newly appointed hardline President Abelardo de la Espriella favors cracking down on criminal organizations with military assistance from the United States.

Under his leftist predecessor Gustavo Petro, the government failed in peace negotiations with multiple groups financed by drug trafficking and illegal mining.

Melo Charry's military leave did not authorize him to enter Colombia, France's armed forces ministry said.