Colombian rebels have claimed responsibility for kidnapping a Colombian soldier serving in the French Foreign Legion, saying he is alive and in good health nearly a month after he was seized in the south-west of the country. However they warned the government against any military intervention.
The Central General Staff (EMC) – the main dissident faction to emerge from the now-defunct FARC guerrilla movement – confirmed on Sunday that its fighters had captured Corporal Jose Olger Melo Charry on 6 August in the department of Narino.
The mountainous region bordering Ecuador is a stronghold for armed groups that finance their activities through drug trafficking, illegal mining and other criminal enterprises.
EMC units "intercepted and took Corporal Jose Olger Melo Charry, an active member of the French Army and a member of the Foreign Legion, prisoner", the group said in a statement.
The authenticity of the communiqué was reportedly confirmed a Colombian police source.
"He is alive, in perfect health, and has received medical care and food," the rebel faction added.
Melo, who is believed to be in his mid-30s, had arrived in Colombia shortly before his abduction. He was travelling with a woman who was also seized but released several hours later, according to Colombian authorities.
The French Defence Ministry has said Melo had been authorised to take leave in metropolitan France, but had not been given permission to travel to Colombia.
The French Foreign Legion is an elite branch of the French Army whose ranks are made up largely of foreign volunteers from dozens of countries. Its soldiers can be deployed alongside other French forces on operations overseas.
Rebels warn against rescue attempt
The EMC is led by Nestor Gregorio Vera Fernandez, better known by his alias Ivan Mordisco, one of Colombia’s most wanted guerrilla commanders.
The group said Melo’s safety depended on Colombian security forces refraining from carrying out military operations in the area where he was abducted.
"His physical safety is fully guaranteed provided no hostile military operations are carried out in the area," the EMC said.
It said it would hold Colombia’s new right-wing president, Abelardo De la Espriella, responsible for any attempt to rescue the soldier by force, warning that an operation could put the captive’s life at risk.
"Any military action will be met with a response," the group said.
De la Espriella, who took office on 7 August, has adopted a markedly tougher approach towards Colombia’s armed groups than his predecessor and has already ordered deadly air strikes in areas controlled by drug traffickers and guerrilla factions.
The Colombian Army believes Melo may be held in the Andes alongside several members of the security forces who have also been kidnapped.
The case comes amid renewed concern over abductions in Colombia, where armed organisations continue to use kidnapping both as a source of leverage against the authorities and as a means of raising money.
Peace process gives way to tougher security policy
Colombia is facing its worst surge in violence since the 2016 peace agreement that demobilised most FARC fighters. Several factions rejected the accord or later returned to armed activity, with the EMC emerging as one of the most powerful dissident groups.
President De la Espriella has taken a tougher line than his predecessor Gustavo Petro, whose "total peace" policy sought negotiations with guerrilla and criminal organisations. De la Espriella has pledged to end talks with groups that continue to use violence.
"I will not allow the word ‘peace’ to continue being used as an excuse for impunity," he said on Sunday, announcing an end to negotiations with three armed groups, including a dissident FARC faction led by a commander known as Calarca.
The resurgence of kidnappings has revived memories of some of the darkest years of Colombia’s conflict. Colombian-French politician Ingrid Betancourt became its most prominent hostage after being abducted by FARC rebels in 2002 while campaigning for the presidency. She was freed with 14 other captives in a military operation six years later.
(with newswires)
