By IANS,
Bogota : In its first public reaction to the rescue of Ingrid Betancourt and 14 others from its captivity, radical leftwing Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) has blamed the dramatic commando action on “betrayal” of its guerrilla guards.
“The escape of the 15 prisoners of war, last July 2, was the direct consequence of the despicable conduct of Cesar and Enrique, who betrayed their revolutionary commitment and the confidence placed in them,” EFE reported Saturday quoting a communiqué of the insurgent group.
The statement dated July 5, posted on the web page of Venezuela’s official ABP news agency, is the first official reaction from the FARC on the Colombian commando action rescuing former Colombian presidential candidate Betancourt, three US military contractors and 11 security personnel.
The Colombian government says that Gerardo Antonio Aguilar, alias “Cesar,” and Alexander Farfan Suarez, known as “Enrique Gafas,” were tricked into handing over the 15 of the 40 hostages the FARC has been trying to trade for jailed rebels.
Cesar, in comments communicated by his attorney, has said he and his comrade were deceived into delivering the captives by messages that appeared to come from the FARC secretariat.
Both captured rebels and the Colombian government deny money changed hands in the release.
The statement said the rebel outfit remained willing to negotiate a prisoners exchange with the Colombian government.
“We maintain in effect our policy of realizing humanitarian accords that achieve the exchange and, moreover, protect the civilian population from the effects of the conflict,” the FARC said.
The rebels added, however, that if the government persisted in attempts to rescue hostages, “it must assume all the consequence of its rash and adventurous decision.”
The FARC’s policy is to kill captives in the event of an attempt by Colombian security forces to rescue them, the statement said.
Washington has asked Colombia to extradite Cesar and Enrique, according to Colombian Deputy Foreign Minister Camilo Reyes.
He said it would be up to Colombia’s Supreme Court to rule on the extradition request.