FARC the Colombian guerrilla group has released Kevin Scott Sutay, an American who spent more than four months in captivity after being kidnapped by the group in June. Sutay, a former soldier in the United States Army, was visiting Colombia as a tourist when he was grabbed in an area where FARC is active. FARC turned Sutay over to representatives from the Red Cross, Norway and Cuba Sunday morning. Sutay was then turned over to American officials at Bogota's airport.
"The United States is profoundly grateful to the government of Colombia and commends its tireless efforts to secure his release," said John Kerry, the U.S. Secretary of State in a statement on Sunday. "We offer special thanks to President Juan Miguel Santos for his assistance. We also appreciate the contributions of the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the Governments of Norway and Cuba for securing Mr. Sutay's freedom." FARC is Colombia's oldest guerrilla group and began fighting against the government in the 1960s.
When FARC first grabbed Sutay on June 20, they said his presence in Colombia was proof American mercenaries were taking part in actions to combat the guerrillas on behalf of the Colombian government. Earlier this month, FARC changed their opinions about Sutay when they posted an interview with him on their website. FARC described Sutay as "the gringo of folklore, a chewer of gum and smoker of marijuana, who, with a backpack on his back, blue jeans and a few dollars in his pocket, sets out to get to know the world."
FARC and the Colombian government are currently in the middle of peace talks in the hope they can end the nearly 50 years of battle and bloodshed between the two. FARC agreed to release Sutay in a show of good faith. Since the 1980s the Colombian government has been trying to negotiate peace with the guerrillas but would often fail. The last time peace talks were attempted between FARC and the government was 2002. As part of the recent peace talks with the government FARC promised it would stop kidnapping. When Sutay was released he was examined by a doctor and said to be in good health and able to travel.
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