Cease-fire planned before Colombian rebels free French journalist
From Marilia Brocchetto, CNN
May 29, 2012 -- Updated 0612 GMT (1412 HKT)
French journalist Romeo Langlois was captured last month by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- The cease-fire in the Caqueta area will last until the early morning hours of Thursday
- French journalist Romeo Langlois was captured last month
- He's being held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia
- He is expected to be released on Wednesday
(CNN) -- The Colombian defense ministry will cease all military operations in an area of the country Tuesday evening ahead of the release of French journalist Romeo Langlois, Red Cross officials said.
Langlois, a war journalist with more than 10 years of experience in Colombia, was reporting alongside soldiers during an April 28 attack by Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC, according to the government. Four people were killed and six were wounded in the ambush by the rebel group.
The cease fire, along with other safeguards for the FARC, are part of a document signed by International Committee of the Red Cross representative in Colombia, Jordi Raich, along with Colombian Deputy Defense Minister Jorge Bedoya and French ambassador Pierre-Jean Vandoorne on Sunday.
The cease-fire in the Caqueta area will last until the early morning hours of Thursday.
The ICRC did not have a location for the release of Langlois, but the team expects to have it by early afternoon on Tuesday, Raich told reporters Monday.
Over the weekend, FARC announced that it would release Langlois on Wednesday.
Statement: FARC to release Langlois
A video was also released showing the veteran journalist, stating stating and spelling his name.
In the video, he receives treatment for an arm wound and talks about his experience reporting on the conflict in Colombia.
"I cover both sides, seeking the opinion of everyone," he said,
CNN could not confirm the authenticity of the video, which gave no indication when it was shot.
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has said his government will do whatever was necessary to guarantee Langlois' release.
"The Colombian government is willing to provide all the facilities so the release occurs as quickly as possible, but if you really want to be viewed well by the world, release him now and simply tell us where he is and we will go get him," he said this month.
The rebel group has been at war with the government since the 1960s, making it Latin American's oldest insurgency.
While severely weakened in recent years, FARC continues to carry out kidnappings and attack security forces.
Part of complete coverage on
February 6, 2013 -- Updated 1526 GMT (2326 HKT)
Advocates say the exam includes unnecessarily invasive and irrelevant procedures -- like a so-called "two finger" test.
February 6, 2013 -- Updated 0009 GMT (0809 HKT)
Supplies of food, clothing and fuel are running short in Damascus and people are going hungry as the civil war drags on.
February 6, 2013 -- Updated 1801 GMT (0201 HKT)
Supporters of Richard III want a reconstruction of his head to bring a human aspect to a leader portrayed as a murderous villain.
February 5, 2013 -- Updated 1548 GMT (2348 HKT)
Robert Fowler spent 130 days held hostage by the same al Qaeda group that was behind the Algeria massacre. He shares his experience.
February 6, 2013 -- Updated 0507 GMT (1307 HKT)
As "We are the World" plays, a video shows what looks like a nuclear attack on the U.S. Jim Clancy reports on a bizarre video from North Korea.
The relationship is, once again, cold enough to make Obama's much-trumpeted "reset" in Russian-U.S. relations seem thoroughly off the rails.
Ten years on, what do you think the Iraq war has changed in you, and in your country? Send us your thoughts and experiences.
February 5, 2013 -- Updated 1215 GMT (2015 HKT)
Musician Daniela Mercury has sold more than 12 million albums worldwide over a career span of nearly 30 years.
Photojournalist Alison Wright travelled the world to capture its many faces in her latest book, "Face to Face: Portraits of the Human Spirit."
February 6, 2013 -- Updated 0006 GMT (0806 HKT)
Europol claims 380 soccer matches, including top level ones, were fixed - as the scandal widens, CNN's Dan Rivers looks at how it's done.
February 6, 2013 -- Updated 1237 GMT (2037 HKT)
That galaxy far, far away is apparently bigger than first thought. The "Star Wars" franchise will get two spinoff movies, Disney announced.
February 8, 2013 -- Updated 0718 GMT (1518 HKT)
It's an essential part of any trip, an activity we all take part in. Yet almost none of us are any good at it. Souvenir buying is too often an obligatory slog.
Today's five most popular stories
© 2013 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
|