Authorities in Colombia have launched a massive search and rescue mission for an army general who they suspect was taken captive by FARC rebels, prompting the government to suspend critical peace talks.
General Ruben Dario Alzate and two civilians were abducted on Sunday afternoon while travelling by motor boat along a remote river in western Colombia to survey an energy project.
A fourth soldier managed to flee the ambush and reported that the captors were members of a FARC brigade.
FARC has not commented on the allegations.
“Negotiations with FARC are suspended until the facts of the kidnapping of
general Alzate are clarified,” Colombia’s Ministry of Defence said in a tweet citing President Manuel Santos Santos, following a meeting between the president and military leaders.
“If confirmed, it would be the first time in a half-century of conflict that the rebels have taken an army general hostage, Colombian media reported.
Colombia suspends FARC peace talks over kidnapping General Ruben
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