French Foreign Legion soldier kidnapped in southwestern Colombia
A French Foreign Legion soldier was kidnapped earlier this month in a guerrilla-controlled area of southwestern Colombia, the Colombian army said Thursday.
Jose Olger Melo Charry, a French-Colombian national, was taken hostage on Aug. 6 while traveling along a road in Narino department, according to a Colombian army report seen by AFP.
The Colombian army believes the kidnapping was carried out by the Estado Mayor Central (EMC), the main breakaway faction of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which disarmed under a historic 2016 peace agreement.
The rebels took Melo Charry after realising he belonged to the French Foreign Legion, the report added.
Army Colonel Mauricio Osorio told Blu Radio on Thursday that Melo Charry joined the French army “four years ago” and was on leave in his home country.
The soldier “holds the rank of corporal,” Osorio said.
The group blamed for the kidnapping is reportedly led by Ivan Mordisco, Colombia’s most-wanted guerrilla.
The country’s armed groups, which are mainly involved in drug trafficking and illegal mining, use kidnapping for extortion or to pressure authorities.
President Abelardo de la Espriella has adopted a policy of confronting armed groups head-on with help from the United States.
Under his leftist predecessor Gustavo Petro, the government’s peace negotiations efforts failed, with the multiple groups financed by drug trafficking and illegal mining.