Five Colombians released following assistance from Norway
Historical archive
Published under: Solberg's Government
Publisher: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press release | Date: 30/11/2014 | Last updated: 08/12/2014
‘I am glad that all five Colombians who were recently captured by the Farc-EP have now been released. This shows that the parties to the conflict are willing to cooperate to find solutions,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende.
General Rubén Alzate, Corporal Jorge Rodríguez and lawyer Gloria Urrego were released today following assistance from Norway and Cuba. On Tuesday, the soldiers Cesar Rivera and Jonathan Díaz were released in Arauca. This means that all five Colombians who were recently captured by the Farc-EP have now been released.
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos suspended peace talks with the Farc-EP when General Alzate was captured.
‘It is now crucial that the peace talks resume as quickly as possible,’ Mr Brende stressed.
Norway and Cuba are acting as facilitators in the peace process between the Colombian Government and the Farc-EP. The internal armed conflict in Colombia has lasted for more than 50 years, and it has had far-reaching humanitarian consequences and caused immense suffering for the civilian population.
Please find enclosed a joint press statement (in English) from the Norwegian and Cuban embassies in Bogota.