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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Colombia hostage release in doubt | Colombia hostage release in doubt |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Confusion surrounds the release of four high-profile hostages by Farc rebels, after reports that their handover had been complicated by army operations. | Confusion surrounds the release of four high-profile hostages by Farc rebels, after reports that their handover had been complicated by army operations. |
| A journalist travelling with the mission to release the hostages said it had been on the verge of being aborted. | |
| But a senior government official said accusations that the military was delaying the hostages' return were without foundation. | |
| The captives 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 are the first unilateral releases by Farc in almost a year, but analysts say chances for peace talks with Colombia's government remain remote. | They are 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 Piedad Cordoba, a left-wing deputy who helped broker the deal to free the hostages, was joined by a delegation from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to secure the release. | |
| Policeman Alexis Torres Zapata was among the four hostagesThey flew into the jungle of Caqueta state to a pre-arranged spot to receive the hostages - two police officers and a soldier. | |
| Some reports said the hostages had been released and had already set off by helicopter to Villavicencio, a city east of Bogota. | Some reports said the hostages had been released and had already set off by helicopter to Villavicencio, a city east of Bogota. |
| But journalist Jorge Botero said the army, which had agreed to cease its operations in the area for a limited period to allow the handover, had put it in jeopardy by pursuing a helicopter used by the mission. | |
| "This pursuit was ordered by military commanders," Botero told Venezuelan TV. "The operation was basically on the verge of being aborted." | |
| But he said the handover was still going ahead despite the setbacks. | |
| Colombian peace commissioner Luis Carlos Restrepo said Botero's accusations were "baseless". | |
| However, it is unclear whether the hostages are now in the hands of the commission or still under rebel control. | |
| Farc has said the release will be followed by that 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. |