Colombian forces free 21 oil workers less than a day after their capture

Colombian troops have freed 21 of 23 oil workers employed by a subsidiary of the Canadian firm Talisman Energy one day after they were kidnapped by members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the country's defense minister said Tuesday. Soldiers continued to pursue the kidnappers in an eastern jungle area of Colombia but at press time no arrests had been made.

"These terrorists are going to see their world fall apart," Defense Minister Rodrigo Rivera told a news conference, where he announced that the workers had been rescued early Tuesday morning.

FARC rebels captured the 23 employees in an area known as Puerto Principe, in Vichada department, on Monday.

At least seven guerrillas took part in the kidnapping operation. One of the hostages escaped late Monday and was able to inform authorities of the rebels' whereabouts, Rivera said.

"Only one hostage remains and we are still in the middle of a rescue operation," he said. More than 500 troops are trying to track down the rebels in an operation dubbed "Minotaur."

Monday's mass kidnapping was the first time in many years that the FARC had snatched so many hostages in one operation.

The men, all local employees of South Exploration America, a Talisman subsidiary, had been working in a remote area that was once exploited by British Petroleum. "It is an area that is difficult to get to," said Juan Carlos Ávila, Vichada's governor.

Besides the FARC's 44th Front, bandits and smugglers are also known to operate in the area rich in oil and near the border with Venezuela.

All safe

"All of those rescued are safe and in good health," said the defense minister, adding that the workers are indigenous men from rural areas. "We are still conducting the military operation and doubling up our troops to ensure that we find the only person still missing soon." He added that the military's quick response prevented the guerrillas from escaping with the hostages in their possession.

For his part, Interior Minister Germán Vargas Lleras announced that no FARC member who has committed atrocities would be granted a pardon as part of a peace process.

"We are going to reject all pardon requests this week by FARC members who have committed atrocious crimes," Vargas said. According to media reports, some 150 former guerrillas have asked for pardons but only about 13 fulfill the requisites established by the government.

The FARC are said to still be holding about 15 police officers and soldiers as hostages, and have demanded that the Colombian government agree to a peace settlement before they are released. Last month, they released five captives as a goodwill gesture sign. But President Juan Manuel Santos has ruled out negotiating until the insurgency disbands, releases its hostages and lays down its weapons.

In another development, an unknown gunman in Medellín shot and killed a lawyer who represented the victims of the country's disbanded paramilitary forces, the United Self Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC). Ricardo Alberto Sierra, 52, was gunned down when he left his home with family members, including his mother and girlfriend. Colombia's public defender condemned the killing and said that Sierra had never reported any threats made against his life.