Further FARC hostage releases in doubt

The International Red Cross say the proposed handover of Colombian politician Alan Jara, held by FARC rebels since 2001, will not go ahead as planned.

However, the Red Cross remains confident both Jara and fellow politician Sigifredo Lopez will be liberated at some point.

On Sunday FARC released four “political” hostages to the Red Cross and a Colombian team led by opposition senator Piedad Cordoba.

FARC said the releases were a humanitarian gesture.

Jara was the next in line to be freed.

However, the deal appears to have been scuppered after Cordoba and her team complained of Colombian military activity in the area after they were assured it would stop until the release of the hostages was secured.

The government denied the charge, though President Alvaro Uribe acknowledged that military aircraft had flown over the area of the releases.

FARC have kidnapped a number of “political” hostages, which they want to use in exchange for members held in Colombian prisons.

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tags: Colombia, FARC