Colombian rebel group FARC has released 10 non-civilian hostages, after keeping them in captivity for a period of 14 years. The 10 victims, four soldiers and six policemen, were released on Monday in a unilateral gesture of peace by FARC, which until recently had resorted to kidnapping and drug trafficking to fund their revolt against the Colombian government.
All the 10 hostages were picked up by Red Cross rescue group from a disclosed location and flown to the Villavicencio airport. The victims wearing olive fatigues appeared cheerful and one of them even danced draping the Colombian flag around him, according to a Reuters report.
One of the men had a pig with him, while another had a monkey on his shoulders. The hostages looked happy and were seen having an animated conversation with the Red Cross medics.
All victims endured inhumane conditions and were kept in makeshift cells in the Colombian jungles by rebels.
President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia said in a televised speech that I send a salute of freedom to the hostages, freedom that has been a long time coming. It is yours now.
Santos said he valued FARC's peace gesture. However, he said the rebels should release all the other civilian hostages who were thought to be held captive by them.
orge Humberto Romero, a Colombian policeman recently freed by FARC rebels, sits on a Brazilian army helicopter after being freed, at Villavicencio's airport April 2, 2012. Colombia's FARC rebels on Monday freed 10 members of the armed forces held hostage in jungle prison camps for more than a decade, the last of a group of captives the drug-funded group has held as bargaining chips to pressure the government.REUTERS/Jose GomezA recently freed hostage (R) walks with a medical personnel as they arrive at Villavicencio's airport April 2, 2012. Colombia's FARC rebels on Monday freed 10 members of the armed forces held hostage in jungle prison camps for more than a decade, the last of a group of captives the drug-funded group has held as bargaining chips to pressure the government.REUTERS/Jose GomezSoldiers and police officials held hostage by the FARC rebels walk with medical personnel as they arrive at Villavicencio's airport after being freed, April 2, 2012. Colombia's FARC rebels on Monday freed 10 members of the armed forces held hostage in jungle prison camps for more than a decade, the last of a group of captives the drug-funded group has held as bargaining chips to pressure the government.REUTERS/Jose Miguel GomezSoldiers and police officials held hostage by the FARC rebels walk with a medical personnel and a chiguiro pet as they arrive at Villavicencio's airport after being freed, April 2, 2012. Colombia's FARC rebels on Monday freed 10 members of the armed forces held hostage in jungle prison camps for more than a decade, the last of a group of captives the drug-funded group has held as bargaining chips to pressure the governmentREUTERS/Jose GomezSoldiers and police officials held hostage by the FARC rebels arrive at Villavicencio's airport after being freed
Soldiers and police officials held hostage by the FARC rebels walk with a medical personnel and a chiguiro pet as they arrive at Villavicencio's airport after being freed, April 2, 2012. Colombia's FARC rebels on Monday freed 10 members of the armed forces held hostage in jungle prison camps for more than a decade, the last of a group of captives the drug-funded group has held as bargaining chips to pressure the governmentREUTERS/Jose GomezA soldier held hostage by FARC rebels celebrates with Colombia's national flag draped around him, as he arrives at Villavicencio's airport after being freed, April 2, 2012. Colombia's FARC rebels on Monday freed 10 members of the armed forces held hostage in jungle prison camps for more than a decade, the last of a group of captives the drug-funded group has held as bargaining chips to pressure the government.REUTERS/Jose GomezA soldier held hostage by FARC rebels waves next to medical personnel, as he arrives at Villavicencio's airport after being freed, April 2, 2012. Colombia's FARC rebels on Monday freed 10 members of the armed forces held hostage in jungle prison camps for more than a decade, the last of a group of captives the drug-funded group has held as bargaining chips to pressure the government.REUTERS/John Vizcaino
