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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Colombia hostages freed by Farc | Colombia hostages freed by Farc |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Colombian leftist rebels the Farc have handed over four high-profile hostages to a humanitarian delegation, a spokesman for mediators says. | Colombian leftist rebels the Farc have handed over four high-profile hostages to a humanitarian delegation, a spokesman for mediators says. |
| A spokesman for Senator Piedad Cordoba, the left-wing deputy who helped broker the deal, said the four had left the jungle by helicopter. | A spokesman for Senator Piedad Cordoba, the left-wing deputy who helped broker the deal, said the four had left the jungle by helicopter. |
| They are said to be well, and have spoken to their families by telephone. | They are said to be well, and have spoken to their families by telephone. |
| The captives - three police officers and a soldier - were among 28 "political hostages" held by Farc. | The captives - three police officers and a soldier - were among 28 "political hostages" held by Farc. |
| The Farc says two politicians will also be released later in the week. | The Farc says two politicians will also be released later in the week. |
| They were the first unilateral releases by Farc in almost a year, but analysts say chances for peace talks with Colombia's government remain remote. | They were the first unilateral releases by Farc in almost a year, but analysts say chances for peace talks with Colombia's government remain remote. |
| Army pause | Army pause |
| Senator Cordoba was joined by a delegation from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to secure the release of the hostages. | Senator Cordoba was joined by a delegation from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to secure the release of the hostages. |
| Policeman Alexis Torres Zapata was among the four hostages releasedThey flew into the jungle of Caqueta state to a pre-arranged spot to receive the hostages. | |
| After the handover, they set off by helicopter to Villavicencio, a city east of Bogota. | After the handover, they set off by helicopter to Villavicencio, a city east of Bogota. |
| The army has ceased operations in the area for a limited period to allow the hostage handover. | The army has ceased operations in the area for a limited period to allow the hostage handover. |
| Farc has said it will be followed by the release of a former lawmaker, Sigifredo Lopez, and a former governor, Alan Jara, by Wednesday. | Farc has said it will be followed by the release of a former lawmaker, Sigifredo Lopez, and a former governor, Alan Jara, by Wednesday. |
| The six are among some 28 "political hostages" held by the group in the hope of securing the release of some of their own jailed members. | The six are among some 28 "political hostages" held by the group in the hope of securing the release of some of their own jailed members. |
| Farc is also believed to hold hundreds of other hostages. | Farc is also believed to hold hundreds of other hostages. |