Members of the Colombian Armed Forces pose together with a detained member of kidnapping group, in Bogota, Colombia, June 18, 2020
Keystone / Mauricio Duenas
A Swiss citizen who had been held by Colombian hostage takers for almost three months has been freed, the Swiss authorities have confirmed.
“The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs has taken note of this news with relief and thanks the Colombian authorities, in particular the Colombian armed forces, for their support,” said a Swiss statementExternal link.
The Swiss man and a Brazilian citizen were freed by the Colombian army on Thursday, it added.
The two men had been abducted on March 20 this year by a group of dissident members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which officially demobilised more than three years ago, according to the Colombian government. They had been held in the southwestern Cauca province.
“The context of the abduction is currently under investigation. Considering the circumstances, both men are in good health. For reasons of data and personality protection, no further details can be provided,” the Swiss statement said.
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The 32-year-old, a resident of Colombia since December, was taken from her country house in the north-eastern La Guajira region by armed men on January 9. Her captors had demanded a ransom of $350,000 (SFr364,100). The woman, who had earlier been identified as a Swede in the media, was rescued after a raid on the…
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