Guatemala: Kidnapped tourists freed

Four Belgian tourists and their two guides were freed after having been kidnapped by protesting farmers in Guatemala. The tourists- aged between 59 and 64 years old- had been captured for nearly two days after they were traveling up the Rio Dulce River with their guides.

The six freed people seemed to be in good condition according to Guatemala's public affairs minister. A member of the farmer’s group which held the hostages claimed that they were “forced” to free the tourists and guides:

The indigenous farmers' group told Guatemalan radio on Saturday that the six hostages would be held until Alvaro Colom, Guatemala's president, agreed to talk to them…

But Luis Chol, a member of the farmers' group, said they were forced to release the Belgians because they were being attacked.

The police "followed us and attacked us and killed one of our comrades", the Associated Press quoted Chol as saying.

The government denies anyone was killed.

Sources- International Herald Tribune, Reuters, AFP, MWC News

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