FARC Releases Hostage In Colombian
Jungle
BOGOTA - The
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)
released on Sunday professional private
Jouse Daniel Calvo in the jungles of
Colombia by delivering him to a Humanitarian
Commission led by Colombian Senator Piedad
Cordoba.
The movement Colombians for Peace (CCP) said
on Sunday the release was carried out in an
undetermined zone of the Colombian jungle in
the south of the country.
Josue Calvo (3rd R), released by the FARC,
or Revolutionary Armed Forces of
Colombia,
arrives in the eastern city of
Villavicencio, Colombia, March 28, 2010,
A
Red Cross-led mission flew into Colombia's
southern jungles on Sunday to
pick up the
ailing 23-year-old soldier Pvt. Josue Calvo,
who has been held
captive by the FARC for a
year.
CCP's spokesman Ricardo Montenegro said that
Calvo was delivered to the humanitarian
mission led by Cordoba, which arrived in the
jungle aboard a helicopter offered by the
Brazilian government.
Calvo was taken in a helicopter of the
Brazilian government to Vanguardia airport
in Villavicencio city, capital of Meta
department in the center of the country. In
Villavicencio, Calvo's father and relatives
were waiting for him since Saturday.
Calvo, 23, did not want to use the
wheelchair or crutches despite he limps when
walking.
Colombian Senator Piedad Cordoba, who led
the humanitarian mission to receive Calvo,
said that "he is excited as it is normal. He
was very dizzy during the flight. We thought
he would be in worse health conditions. He
has an injured knee due to the clash when he
was made captive."
Cordoba thanked the Brazilian government for
the logistic support and the International
Red Cross, the Catholic Church, the
Colombian government and the FARC for
allowing Calvo to recover his freedom.
Cordoba said they hoped to continue with the
release process of Sergeant Pablo Emilio
Moncayo and the government to give all the
help for his release after 11 years of
captivity.
The humanitarian mission which received
Calvo at the Colombian jungle was formed by
Cordoba, two delegates of the International
Red Cross, bishop Leonardo Gomes and two
members of the CCP.
Calvo was kidnapped on April 20, 2009 by the
FARC during a clash with the rebels, since
then he had suffered health problems, which
have impeded him to walk long distances due
to an injury in his knee.
Calvo was made hostage by the Front 27 of
the FARC in the rural zone of Vista Hermosa
municipality in Meta department. |
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