Global General

Freed Colombian councilor calls for more hostage release

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-02-10 09:31

VILLAVICENCIO, Colombia - Colombian councilor Marcos Baquero, who was just set free by a major rebel group, said Wednesday that he would promote a march to appeal for the release of all hostages kept by the rebels.

Baquero, who was taken hostage by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in June 2009, was released on Wednesday morning.

"From today on, I am inviting you to hold a march for the release of police officers, soldiers and civilians still in the jungle" kept as hostages by FARC, Baquero told local Caracol Television.

"We have to continue working hard to realize peace in our country," he said.

Baquero was transported from a FARC-held zone to a government-controlled area by a Brazilian military helicopter emblazoned with the International Committee of the Red Cross symbols.

He was the first of the five hostages whom FARC recently promised to free.

FARC, the largest rebel group in Colombia, is expected to release the remaining four on Friday and Sunday.