Colombian Hostage Released After 12 Years -- Foreign Policy Blog
Pablo Emilio Moncayo, a soldier, was only 19 when he was kidnapped by the leftists Colombian rebel group FARC. Last night, at age 32, he was released. He looks to be in good health, with only a minor parasitic condition.
It's pretty unimaginable to think about: the idea of being held captive for a decade in the jungle. Not least for Moncayo's family; his father spent the last decade campaigning for his release -- even walking across the country, his body wrapped in chains, to protest his son's continued captivity. Moncayo became a symbol of the injustice of it all -- and also a symbol of the critiques that many held (and still hold) of the hostage policies of the Alvaro Uribe government, namely that it has conducted armed rescue efforts in the past and has been reluctant to offer concessions in exchange for prisoner release.
Read more ....
More News On The Release Of Sgt. Pablo Emilio Moncayo
Colombian hostage suffered from parasitic illness, gets family time -- AFP
It is so wonderful to see civilisation, says hostage released after 12 years -- The Independent
Hostage freed after 12 years in Colombian jungle -- Times Online
Footage shows hostage 'moments before release' -- BBC
Colombia's FARC rebels release captive held 12 years -- L.A. Times
In Colombia, FARC rebels release their longest-held hostage -- Christian Science Monitor
Ahead of election, Colombian rebels release hostages -- L.A. Times
My Comment: When I read this story yesterday, for some reason I was wondering if he was going to get back pay? .... but 12 years in captivity .... nah .... freedom is priceless and I doubt that his "back-pay" is his number one priority right now.