First hostage released by FARC

VILLAVICENCIO, COLOMBIA: FARC Colombian rebel group released the first of five hostages expected to be freed this week, newspaper El Tiempo reported.

Colombian politician Marcos Baquero was released after one year and seven months of captivity. At around 11 am, a convoy of cars with Baquero's family members, who carried banners and a huge Colombian flag, arrived at the Villavicencio airport to greet him.

"My first words are for my wife and my children, who I love very much," Baquero said, as reported by Caracol TV.

“We must continue working hard on the release of other hostages,” he added.

Other hostages are expected to be released on Friday and Sunday.

The former senator Piedad Córdoba, who has managed other releases by the guerrillas since 2008, and Red Cross employees took off from the airport at 8:40 am in a Brazilian military helicopter to receive Baquero.

The Colombian government has demanded the release of all hostages as a condition for any talks with the left-wing group.

(BNO NEWS )