French-Colombian Foreign Legion soldier kidnapped in Colombia by FARC dissidents
A French-Colombian corporal in the French Foreign Legion was kidnapped in southwestern Colombia on Aug. 6 while traveling in the department of Nariño, the Colombian army announced on Thursday.
The soldier, José Olger Melo Charry, was taken hostage by suspected members of the Estado Mayor Central, a dissident faction of the now-dissolved FARC guerrilla group, according to a Colombian army report seen by AFP . The rebels allegedly targeted Melo Charry after learning he served in the French Foreign Legion, the report added.
Melo Charry, who holds French and Colombian citizenship, joined the French army four years ago and was on leave in his home country at the time of the abduction, Army Colonel Mauricio Osorio told Blu Radio on Thursday . The Estado Mayor Central is reportedly led by Ivan Mordisco, Colombia’s most-wanted guerrilla, according to the army report .
The dissidents are former FARC members who refused to sign the 2016 peace accord with the Colombian government, the army report stated . Armed groups in Colombia, often involved in drug trafficking and illegal mining, have used kidnappings for extortion or to pressure authorities, according to the report .
President Abelardo de la Espriella has pursued a policy of direct confrontation with armed groups, with support from the United States, following the failed peace negotiations under his predecessor, Gustavo Petro . Experts cited in the report noted that many armed groups strengthened during Petro’s presidency .
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🔴 French Foreign Legion soldier kidnapped in Colombia
france24 · about 3 hours ago
Un soldat franco-colombien de la Légion étrangère française enlevé en Colombie par la guérilla Les responsables présumés de lenlèvement de José Olger Melo Charry, survenu le 6 août, sont des dissidents de la guérilla des FARC, aujourdhui dissoute, selon un rapport de larmée colombienne.
le monde · about 4 hours ago
Un légionnaire français enlevé et pris en otage en Colombie pendant une permission Un soldat franco-colombien de la Légion étrangère française a été enlevé début août dans une région de Colombie contrôlée par la guérilla, a annoncé larmée jeudi. ...
la libre · about 5 hours ago
Un soldat de la Légion étrangère française enlevé en Colombie Les responsables présumés de cet enlèvement sont des dissidents de la guérilla des Farc, aujourdhui dissoute, qui avaient refusé de signer laccord de paix de 2016 avec le gouvernement.
liberation · about 5 hours ago
French Foreign Legion soldier kidnapped in Colombia Colombian military announced Thursday that a French-Colombian soldier from the French Foreign Legion was kidnapped in early August while travelling in the department of Narino. The kidnappers are believed to be members of the Estado Mayor Central, dissidents from the far-left FARC guerrilla group.
france24 · about 5 hours ago
Enlèvement en Colombie dun soldat franco-colombien de la Légion étrangère française Les responsables présumés de lenlèvement, survenu le 6 août, de José Olger Melo Charry sont des dissidents de la guérilla des FARC, aujourdhui dissoute, selon un rapport de larmée.
le monde · about 6 hours ago