Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - Army of the People (FARC - EP) rebels have freed six prisoners of war as a gesture of good faith. The prisoners were freed in separate handovers since February 9th.
Those released included soldiers, policemen and public figures, some of whom had been held for over 10 years. The Brazilian government acted as an intermediary and said that the releases indicated FARC's willingness to take part in dialogue with the Colombian government so as to negotiate a peaceful political settlement to the 47 year-old conflict. This was rejected by the government who said that they would not consider talking to the guerrilla's until they released the remaining 16 hostages they still hold (mainly soldiers and police), renounce violence and declare a ceasefire.
One of the freed hostages, politician Armando Acuna, has called for dialogue between the government and the rebels: "Humanitarian exchange is the first step toward a friendly understanding, which permits the return of our brothers deprived of their liberty." he said
However Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos dismissed the releases as a media exercise to garner sympathy for the rebels. He also said that on the same night that the two police officers were released, rebels had kidnapped two workers from the south of the country.
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