A Colombian politician held hostage by
leftist rebels is not set to be released before Tuesday despite earlier plans
that he might be free again Monday, the International Committee of the Red
Cross (ICRC) said, dpa reported.
However, the Red Cross noted that plans for the release of Alan Jara, a former
governor of the central Colombian province of Meta, and that of former regional
legislator Sigifredo Lopez continue, after the leftist Revolutionary Armed
Forces of Colombia (FARC) offered to free them.
According to a statement released by a humanitarian mission in charge of
finding the hostages after they are released, Jara was set to be freed Monday,
while Lopez was expected to be released Wednesday.
Colombian opposition Senator Piedad Cordoba, who leads a humanitarian mission
that is taking part in the releases, said in Meta capital Villavicencio that
Jara is now set to be released Tuesday, while Lopez will not be free before
Thursday.
The delay was linked to problems encountered Sunday in the release by FARC of
three police officers and a soldier.
"Although some events generated tension, the ICRC underlines that the
interest over the fate of the victims and their relatives must dominate in
these circumstances," said Red Cross spokesman Yves Heller.