COLOMBIA: Colombia buries four killed by FARC.

Record ID: 587185

  • Title: COLOMBIA: Colombia buries four killed by FARC.
  • Date: 30th November 2011
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) JOHAN STEVEN MARTINEZ, SON OF KILLED HOSTAGE, SAYING: "This war has affected many families. Lots of children, like me, are very sad without their parents. Please stop. Release the weapons that ended the life of my father, who I loved so much."
  • Embargoed: 15th December 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Colombia, Colombia
  • Country: Colombia
  • Topics: Conflict,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA9DOBMOAYNP6E5RSK5XBC49R2X
  • Story Text: Colombian president among those at ceremony honouring for executed hostages.
    Colombia buried on Tuesday (November 29) four members of the security forces who were executed by FARC rebels during a botched mission to free them from a decade as hostages. It was the most violent act by the group since troops killed its leader Alfonso Cano earlier this month.
    The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, which has a policy of killing hostages if troops approach their camps, shot three of the captives in the head and the fourth in the back on Saturday.
    One police sergeant who was also being held hostage by the FARC managed to escape and was found alive by the military on Saturday.
    Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos was among those who attended the emotional ceremony in Bogota cathedral.
    In a speech, Bishop Hector Gutierrez Pabon urged the guerilla group to release their other hostages.
    "Give us back the hostages, return them safely as they were taken. We are waiting for them and for you too," said Pabon.
    Colombia has been wracked by bloodshed from guerrillas and cocaine barons for decades, although the FARC - once a powerful force controlling large parts of Colombia - has been severely weakened.
    Santos said last week that the Andean nation was nearing the final phase of nearly 50 years of war and that his government would be willing to talk peace if the guerrillas were serious.
    Johan Steven Martinez, a son of one of the killed hostages, made an emotional plea for the violence to end.
    "This war has affected many families. Lots of children, like me, are very sad without their parents. Please stop. Release the weapons that ended the life of my father, who I loved so much," said Martinez.
    Bombings and kidnappings have eased sharply as Colombian troops use better intelligence, U.S. training and technology to take the fight to the rebels.
    But the FARC and other groups pose a threat in rural areas where the state's presence is weak and cocaine trafficking lets the rebels finance operations.
    Colombians outside the cathedral made their anger against the FARC known.
    This is the third group of hostages that they have killed. In 2003, Guillermo Gaviria, governor of Antioquia province, was shot along with an adviser and eight military captives when troops attempted to free them. In 2007, 11 lawmakers were shot when the rebels falsely believed troops entered their camp.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Footage contains identifiable children: users must ensure that they comply with local laws and regulations governing the publishing of this material.
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