Colombia: Uncertainty over hostage talks

On New Year’s Eve, negotiations for a rescue mission to free three high-prolife hostages in Colombia came to an abrupt halt. One of the main sticking points regarded the custody of three-year-old Emmanuel Rojas who was thought to be in the hands of the FARC guerilla group yet was most likely secretly handed over to child welfare authorities.

Since then, it is unsure if any other hostages under FARC control will be freed. Colombian foreign minister Fernando Araujo declared Monday that the government would not allow any future international missions. However, Peace Commissioner Luis Carlos Restrepo contradicted him on Tuesday and mentioned that any international missions would be permitted under specific guidelines. Later that day, defense minister Juan Manuel Santos said that no “clandestine” missions would be allowed but noted that international missions would only be permitted under the auspices of the International Red Cross.

Despite the uncertainty of any future hostage missions, Emmanuel’s grandmother still hopes that her daughter (image) will be freed soon and safely:

“I beg the FARC to free our loved ones…what we should be interested in is the liberation of those still held captive” said Mrs. (Clara) Gonzalez de Rojas.

“My dearest daughter, I hope that soon we will be reunited. Please be sure that your baby is safe…and that God is good with your child, whom He protected!” - [ed. personal translation]

Sources (English)- International Herald Tribune, The Latin Americanist

Sources (Spanish)- RCN, El Tiempo

Image- BBC News