Leftist rebels free hostages

(Vatican Radio) Colombia's second-largest leftist rebel band has freed two female employees of an oil pipeline company whom it had held for nearly three weeks.

The International Red Cross says National Liberation Army guerrillas released 33-year-old Elida Parra, a community outreach worker and journalist, and 32-year-old Gina Uribe, an environmental engineer, on Monday in the northeastern state of Arauca. “In this particular occasion, the ICRC was requested to help with the logistics of the release of these two women, together with members of the Catholic Church, as well as the National Ombudsman,” said Alexis Heeb, ICRC spokesman in Geneva in charge of operations in the Americas.

“The two women went through a very harsh ordeal,” he said. “It was very difficult. They spent . . . more than two weeks being a hostage in a very difficult situation, in a very remote area of the country.”

Once Ms Parra Alfonso and Ms Uribe Villamizar had been released into its care in a rural area of Arauca Department, the ICRC informed their families and the relevant authorities that they were free. After checking that the two women were in good health, the ICRC drove them to the town of Saravena, where they were reunited with their loved ones. Mr Heeb confirmed that “they are doing well, they are safe, they are sound. And most importantly, they are now free and back with their families.”

Listen to the complete interview of ICRC spokesperson Alexis Heeb with Christopher Wells: