Colombia rescues hostages

COLOMBIA: Colombian soldiers have rescued four policemen held hostage in the jungle by rebels for nearly 12 years, authorities said Monday.

“Operation Chameleon,” the most important hostage rescue mission since French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt and three Americans were freed in 2008, was “flawless,” Defence Minister Gabriel Silva said Sunday. A fourth police officer being held hostage escaped his captors during the military rescue operation and hid as army patrols searched for him in Colombia’s southern Amazon jungle. He was found early Monday.

The hostages rescued Sunday General Luis Herlindo Mendieta, who on Sunday turned 53, Colonel Enrique Murillo and Sergeant Arbey Delgado Argote were still in the area of operations.

“This morning, after daylight, we were able to locate” the fourth officer, William Donato, General Freddy Padilla told La FM radio.

Bogota, Tuesday, AFP