The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) released two prosecutors and three others kidnapped last week, local media reported.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro shared on his official social media account X a photo on Sunday confirming the release of five people. FARC members handed them over to representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The Central General Staff (EMC), made up of former FARC members, thanked the ICRC, the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, and the Ombudsman’s Office for facilitating dialogue with the Colombian government.
Members of the Dagoberto Ramos Front, affiliated with the EMC, abducted five people during a trip in their vehicles through the countryside in the Cauca administrative region.
The more than 50-year conflict between the Colombian government and the FARC officially ended with a peace agreement signed by then Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and former FARC leader Rodrigo Londono at the historic Colon Theatre in Bogota on November 24, 2016.
However, some former commanders and members of the group continue to engage in armed activities despite the peace agreement. Members of the EMC, led by Nestor Gregorio Vera, also known as Ivan Mordisco, did not participate in the peace agreement and continued their attacks.
According to the data, the EMC has more than 3,500 members, including 2,180 armed people. It operates in western, central and eastern Colombia, as well as in Venezuela and Ecuador.
