Brazil choppers in Colombia to fly out FARC hostages

[Judi Lynn]

Brazil choppers in Colombia to fly out FARC hostages
(AFP) – 4 hours ago

VILLAVICENCIO, Colombia — Two Brazilian military helicopters bearing Red Cross markings arrived in Colombia where they will be used to fly out five hostages set for release by Marxist rebels.

Authorities in Bogota have anticipated the handover of the five hostages since late last year, when they announced that the release by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) was imminent, and that Brazil was ready to help.

The FARC announced on December 18 that it would free two politicians, two soldiers and a policeman, but the guerrilla group had not given an exact date as they sought to work out security protocols for the handover.

Colombian ex-senator Piedad Cordoba, who traveled to the Brazilian city of Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira from where the choppers departed, was part of the mission led by a delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

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