A Colombian man will get a US$1.3 million reward for information that led to Sunday’s rescue of four police officers held for nearly 12 years by Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels, top Army General Oscar Gonzalez said on Wednesday.
The general also did not reveal the identity of the person who will receive the reward from the government for the vital information he provided, but media reports said he deserted the FARC rebel group late last year.
A 300-strong elite military commando on Sunday raided a FARC camp in the jungles of southern Guaviare department, rescuing a four police officers, including a general, a colonel, held for about 12 years.
PHOTO: EPA
The four were among the longest held hostages by FARC and the general was the highest-ranking officer in captivity.
One soldier was killed in the attack, but apparently no rebels as they all fled their camp leaving everything behind, commando chief General Freddy Padilla said.
The operation was billed as the most prominent hostage rescue since that of French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt and three Americans in 2008, which was carried out by the same military commando in Operation Chameleon.
FARC rebels still hold at least 19 soldiers.
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