Colombia's ELN rebels free nine hostages

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Xinhua

Colombia's ELN rebels free nine hostages


www.chinaview.cn 2008-01-21 10:52:52

BOGOTA, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Nine hostages held by Colombia's rival armed group National Liberation Army (ELN) on Sunday were freed and handed over to the International Commission of the Red Cross, local officials said.

The ELN handed over the hostages, seven male truck drivers kidnapped on Jan. 2 and two women whose identities remained unclear, in a rural area of Samaniego, said Antonio Navarro, governor of the Narino province, adding that all the hostages are in good conditions.

Samaniego municipality Mayor Yamile Montenegro told reporters "During the afternoon, the people who were captured 14 days ago were released."

The 4,500-troop ELN is Colombia's second-largest guerrilla group after the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), with 31,000 troops.




Read more: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-01/21/content_7462757.htm