1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Live TV
Latest audioLatest videos
In focus
Russia's war in UkraineIsrael-Hamas warIndia elections

German hostages freed

March 8, 2013

Two German hostages have been freed by Colombia's second-largest guerilla group, the National Liberation Army (ELN), the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) has said. They had been held since last November.

https://p.dw.com/p/17u1y
403785 06: A rebel nicknamed Comandante Lenin of the Colombian guerrilla group, National Liberation Army (ELN), reads a communique to journalists as the group released 11 civilians, including politicians and a priest to the Colombian Red Cross April 10, 2002 in the Arauca province of Colombia. (Photo by Carlos Villalon/Getty Images)
Image: Getty Images

The German brothers aged 69 and 73, were freed on Friday, the ICRC said in a statement. The two were reportedly transferred via helicopter to a nearby airport in northeast Norte de Santander province, where they were handed over to the German embassy and Colombian government representatives.

The ICRC did not immediately say what condition the brothers were in.

"I am very relieved that the two Germans are free again and are in the safe care of the German embassy," said German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle. "We have therefore found a good ending to their family's fear and uncertainty."

The ELN said in early February they had captured the two in Catatumbo, near the Venezuelan border. The rebels considered them to be intelligence agents because the two couldn't explain why they were in the area. The German government said they were retirees making a four-wheel-drive trip through South America.

In February the Colombian government authorized a committee of civilians to travel to the area to talk with the guerillas.

The ELN are Colombia's second largest guerilla group, with an estimated 2,500 fighters. FARC, the country's largest guerilla group with an estimated 8,000 fighters, is currently holding peace talks with the government.

dr/hc (AFP, Reuters, dpa)

Skip next section Explore more

Explore more

A soldier guarding a demonstration by displaced people in Colombia. (Photo: Nils Naumann / DW)

Colombia renews pledges to its displaced people

Colombia renews pledges to its displaced people

About five million people are on the run in Colombia. Many have lost everything, including family members and the land they called home. But the government has now promised it will make good on a 2012 restitution law. (20.01.2013)
January 20, 2013