FARC frees one hostage

Four others to be released:

COLOMBIA: The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) Wednesday released former councilor Marcos Baquero, one of the five hostages it had promised to free.

Baquero was handed over to former Colombian Senator Pierdad Cordobahas, ICRC delegates and a member of Colombians for Peace in a rural area of Meta province, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said in a statement.

He was then transported by a Brazilian helicopter to an airport in Villavicencio, Mata’s capital, where his family was waiting for him. FARC announced it would unilaterally release five hostages, including 35-year-old Baquero, as a goodwill gesture on Dec. 8, 2010.

Baquero was the first to be freed, and the other four are scheduled to be released today and 13 sunday. “Another humanitarian operation to be hosted today in Caqueta province, when councilor Armando Acuna and marine Henry Lopez Martinez will be released,” the ICRC said.

“The third operation will be on Feb. 13 in Tolima province, when soldier Salin Antonio Valderrama and police captain Gueillermo Solorzano will be released,” it added..

After his release, Baquero said he would push for a march to appeal for the release of all hostages held by FARC. Villavicencio, Thursday, Xinhua