Colombian rebels to free six more hostages

COLOMBIA: Colombia’s FARC rebels said they would soon free six hostages from jungle camps in their first hostage gesture since high-profile captive Ingrid Betancourt and three Americans were rescued by the military in July.

The FARC said two captive politicians and four members of the armed forces held for years would be handed to a group led by Piedad Cordoba, a left-wing Colombian senator who helped broker past deals with Latin America’s oldest insurgency.

The negotiated release would be the FARC’s first since February when four lawmakers were freed in a deal with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. The rebels have since been battered by the deaths of commanders, military setbacks and desertions.

“We announce the upcoming unilateral release of six prisoners in two stages,” the FARC said in a communique dated Dec. 17 but published on Sunday. “The conditions of how, when and where will be announced at the proper moment.”

Cordoba, head of a commission of academics and politicians who maintain written communication with the FARC, confirmed the planned release, but she did not give details.

Bogota, Monday, Reuters