The National Army foiled a kidnapping for ransom and rescued a citizen held hostage in Nariño

During military operations and thanks to the rapid response of troops from the 16th Land Operations Battalion of Hercules Task Force, in a joint operation with the National Navy and coordinated with the National Police, a citizen who had been held against his will in a rural area of the municipality of Santa Bárbara de Iscuandé, in the department of Nariño, was successfully rescued.

The victim, a man who works as a mechanic, had been held captive for five days by members of this illegal armed group, who allegedly demanded 60 million pesos in exchange for sparing his life and allowing his release.

According to the testimony provided by the citizen after his rescue, during the time he was held captive, he was subjected to physical and psychological abuse, as well as constant humiliation by his captors. Once the victim was located and his rescue was secured—preserving his safety and preventing his family from paying any ransom—he was taken to a safe location, where he received medical care and support from the relevant authorities.

Furthermore, the necessary investigations are underway to identify and prosecute those responsible for this incident.

The National Army, through the Hercules Task Force, reaffirms its commitment to protecting the civilian population and will continue to carry out joint, coordinated, and interagency operations to counter the criminal activities of residual organized armed groups operating in the department of Nariño.