Colombian dissident armed actors say a soldier with the French Foreign Legion who was kidnapped in southwest Colombia is alive. The hostage, Jose Olger Melo Charry, was seized on Aug. 6 while travelling by road in the Narino province.
France 24 reports that rebels linked to the Central General Staff—described as the main splinter group of the defunct FARC—say they are responsible for the kidnapping and that Charry is alive and in “perfect health.” Free Malaysia Today similarly focuses on the rebel claim that the French Legion soldier remains alive.
RFI adds that the dissident militia also warns the Colombian government against any military intervention, despite saying Charry is being held in good condition. The outlets differ mainly in how they identify the specific rebel faction and in the emphasis placed on warnings to the government, but they agree on the timing, location, and the claim that the hostage is still alive.
