Bogota, November 24 (teleSUR)-- Colombia’s main guerrilla group issued a statement on Sunday saying the release of a Colombian General captured last week was at risk and could be delayed due to the intensive military operations taking place in the area where he is being held captive.
In the statement published on the group’s website, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) said their fighters noted continued “landing of troops, bombings, intelligence flights, and measures restraining the circulation of civilians in the area, essentially indigenous and afro-descendant populations. These communities have been practically besieged by the army.”
Last week, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos suspended the peace talks in Havana with the FARC, saying negotiations would not continue until General Ruben Dario Alzate -– the highest military officer captured by the FARC in half a century of armed conflict -– was released.
“As long as this situation does not change, the release of General Alzate and the people accompanying him would be unlikely,” explains the rebel group, warning that the release of the two other soldiers and another official could also be at risk.
However, the FARC added that the two soldiers, who were captured during fight with the Colombian Army in the north-eastern department of Arauca, could be released Tuesday if the government followed the measures agreed upon.
So far, neither the government nor the military high command reacted to the statement.