Colombia hostages ‘free soon’

Seven hostages who have been held in Colombia since the middle of September could be released this week, according to reports. The Times states that the hostages, who were kidnapped by members of the National Liberation Army (ELN) while hiking near the ruins of Cuidad Perdida, will be freed after meetings between the rebels and a mission from the Roman Catholic Church and the United Nations. The newspaper is reporting that two of the group, a German and a Spaniard, could be released as early as today. It states that there have been an astounding 1,400 kidnappings reported this year alone in Colombia.