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Colombia hostage release in doubt Colombia Farc hostages released
(40 minutes later)
Confusion surrounds the release of four high-profile hostages by Farc rebels, after reports that their handover had been complicated by army operations. Four Farc hostages have been released in Colombia, despite unconfirmed reports that the operation to free them was hampered by the military.
A journalist travelling with the mission to release the hostages said it had been on the verge of being aborted. A member of the release mission said they were leaving the jungle where they were being held by helicopter.
But a senior government official said accusations that the military was delaying the hostages' return were without foundation. A journalist travelling with the mission said earlier it had been on the verge of being aborted, an accusation denied by a senior government official.
The captives were among 28 "political hostages" held by Farc.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 In jeopardy
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. Ricardo Montenegro, a spokesman for Senator Piedad Cordoba, a left-wing deputy who helped broker the deal to free the hostages, said they were on their way by helicopter to Villavicencio, a city east of Bogota.
Mr Cordoba went to secure the release accompanied by a delegation from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
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.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. 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 the mission's helicopter.
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.""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".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.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.