Colombian rebels on Friday blamed two guerrillas who were guarding hostages for the success of a rescue mission by the military that freed three US defense contractors, a former presidential candidate and 11 others.
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Latin America’s last remaining major rebel army, said “the escape of the 15 prisoners of war” on July 2 “was a direct consequence of the despicable conduct of Cesar and Enrique, who betrayed their revolutionary commitment.”
Military intelligence agents freed 15 rebel-held hostages — including French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt — by posing as aid workers on a mock humanitarian mission that rebels were told would ferry their hostages by helicopter to another camp for talks on a prisoner swap.
Colombian authorities say Cesar and Enrique Gafas, whose legal names are Gerardo Aguilar and Alexander Farfan, boarded the helicopter only to be overpowered and arrested.
The FARC’s statement, signed July 5, appeared on Friday on the Web site of the Bolivarian Press Agency, which usually carries rebel commentaries. It did not further explain the “betrayal.”
Cesar and Enrique are among 11 suspects indicted in Washington in September on charges of conspiracy to provide support to a foreign terrorist organization.
The two also face charges of hostage-taking and terrorism. The US is seeking their extradition.
The FARC also announced on Friday that it continues to seek an agreement to swap hostages for imprisoned rebels “independent of whatever political or military confrontation where there are victories and reversals.”
But, the statement added, “By insisting in rescues as the only path, the government should assume all the consequences of its reckless and adventurous decision.”
Colombia’s government says the FARC still holds about 700 hostages for political leverage and ransom. Rebels had offered to swap 25 high-value captives for imprisoned guerrillas, but the July 2 rescue robbed them of their top bargaining chips.
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