On Tuesday, the Colombian government rejected terms set out by the left-wing rebel group FARC for the release of the French journalist Romeo Langlois.
The group admitted to having captured the journalist on Monday. They then stated that the “the only thing you can do to hope for a full release of the journalist is conducting a real national and international debate about freedom of information.”
FARC have accused the Colombian government of manipulating information to sway public opinion of the rebel group.
Juan Carlos Pinzón, Minister of Defence has, however, rejected the proposal, naming it “absurd.”
“No way will we engage in any kind of debate,” he stated, while also criticising the group’s criminal activity, stating that their involvement in kidnappings, terrorism and drug trafficking make them unfit to impose such conditions.
The Colombian government has been in communication with the French embassy in Colombia over the kidnapping. Pinzón also stated: “They must free him as soon as possible.”
Langlois, 35, was kidnapped on 28th April during a clash between the Colombian army and the rebel group. He was in Colombia reporting for French television channel France 24.
