De la Espriella Rejects the ELN’s ‘Hostage Exchange’ Proposal
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella rejected any possibility of negotiating a “hostage exchange” with the National Liberation Army (ELN) for the police officers and civilian who remain kidnapped by the guerrilla group. The president demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the captives, while announcing that his government would step up operations by the […]
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella firmly declined the National Liberation Army (ELN) proposal for a "hostage exchange" concerning three police officers and a civilian held captive by the guerrilla group. The president emphatically demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the captives, signaling that the freedom of the individuals would not be a condition for their rescue.
After the ELN confirmed the abduction of Major Fredy Alexis Russi González, patrol officers Erika Tatiana Monroy Hurtado and Edinson Yesid Medina Traslaviña, and Angi Jácome, the president announced intensified operations by the Armed Forces and National Police to locate and secure the captives' return. The ELN had released signs of life for the hostages and implied a willingness to negotiate their freedom in exchange for certain concessions from the Colombian government.
President de la Espriella firmly stated that the lives of the kidnapped individuals would not be used as bargaining chips and reiterated that his administration would not entertain any form of exchange. He asserted that the captives' release must be unconditional and emphasized that the state would continue to apply operational pressure to locate the hostages.
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