AFPELN fighters
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 00:25
Colombian terror organization ELN has pledged to end kidnappings for ransom if a ceasefire is extended. This method of making money recently made the news after the parents of footballer Luis Díaz were kidnapped.
The commitment was made during a round of government negotiations with the ELN in Mexico City. Since the beginning of this month, discussions have been going on about extending the current truce, which started in August and expires on January 29.
It is not known whether the ELN is also prepared to release the approximately 38 people who are still being held. However, it would like to draw up a list of names of hostages.
‘Kidnapping was a mistake’
The left-wing National Liberation Army ELN has been fighting the government of Colombia since 1964. Kidnapping for ransom is one of the methods used to finance that fight.
At the end of October, fighters from the movement kidnapped the parents of Liverpool player Díaz. Although the police were able to quickly free his mother, his father remained in custody for twelve days. ELN leadership later said the kidnapping had been a mistake.
AFPLuis Díaz senior after his release
2023-12-17 23:25:38
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