Colombia's FARC Rebels to Release Three Hostages
Created: 2011-12-28 03:26 EST
Category: World > South America
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The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, commonly known as FARC, announced on Tuesday the names of three hostages they plan to free soon.
According to the FARC website, those slated for release are police officers.
One of them has been held in rebel jungle camps for 12 years.
He was separated from his daughter when she was just four months old.
His mother was ecstatic when she heard the news Tuesday.
[Olivia Solarte, Mother of Hostage]:
"A great happiness, I am very happy. After 12 long years waiting for this news, today it is a blessing from the Lord."
Colombia turned out en masse earlier this month to protest against the FARC in the wake of the execution of four hostages.
In a surprise response, the guerrillas said they will release six of the 11 members of the armed forces and police still held in jungle prison camps.
Now they say only three will be released.
The group also holds as many as 300 civilians.
U.S.-backed strikes against the FARC for more than a decade have significantly weakened the rebels.
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