40 Colombian soldiers released after being held hostage
In Colombia, 40 out of 100 soldiers who were forcibly detained by an armed group called "Rural Guards" have been released.
According to reports in the Colombian media, the soldiers were conducting operations in the rural areas of San Jose del Guaviare, in the Guaviare department, when they were forcibly detained by armed individuals.
The soldiers, surrounded by the Rural Guards, surrendered their weapons without engaging in any conflict.
In a statement, the military reported that the soldiers were conducting operations in the region due to incidents of looting but were surrounded by armed villagers.
Meanwhile, the Rural Guards, who are holding the soldiers, issued a statement claiming that the military operation was threatening the region's sensitivity, tranquility, and peace.
Efforts by the Ombudsman's Office and civil society organizations to secure the release of the remaining soldiers are ongoing.
