Colombia hostage freed after more than 12 years
- 14 years ago
A Colombian soldier held hostage for more than 12 years has been freed by rebels and reunited with his family.
Sergeant Pablo Emilio Moncayo was one of the longest-held hostages of the FARC.
He was 19 when taken captive during a rebel attack on an army outpost in the mountains in December 1997.
A Brazilian helicopter carrying a team comprised of a Colombian Senator, International Red Cross officials and a priest flew to an undisclosed hand-over spot in the south of the country where Moncayo was handed over.
He was later flown back to the city of Florencia, where his family were waiting.
The soldier smiled warmly as he stepped down from the helicopter. His family excitedly rushed toward him, and embraced him. He also met his 6-year-old sister for the first time.
President Alvaro Uribe welcomed Moncayo's release and thanked Brazil, the Red Cross and the Roman Catholic Church for their cooperation.
Uribe, who leaves office in August after two consecutive terms, is hugely popular in Colombia for his aggressive stance against the FARC.