Colombian soldiers have rescued four policemen held hostage in the jungle by leftist rebels for nearly 12 years, authorities said yesterday.
"Operation Chameleon," the most important hostage rescue mission since French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt and three Americans were freed in 2008, was "flawless," Defence Minister Gabriel Silva said on Sunday.
A fourth police officer being held hostage escaped his captors during the military rescue operation and hid as army patrols searched for him in Colombia's southern Amazon jungle. He was found early yesterday.
The hostages rescued on Sunday - General Luis Herlindo Mendieta, who on Sunday turned 53, Colonel Enrique Murillo and Sergeant Arbey Delgado Argote - were still in the area of operations in southern Guaviare department "well protected" by 300 soldiers, Mr Silva said.
"This morning, after daylight, we were able to locate" the fourth officer, William Donato, General Freddy Padilla told La FM radio. Mr Donato was found with "a three-metre chain around his neck, which his captors used to restrain him," General Padilla added.
Ongoing fighting between the military and rebels with the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) guerrillas earlier prevented the rescued hostages from leaving the area, according to officials.
Farc rebels captured Sergeant Delgado and Mr Donato in August 1998 in a raid on an anti-narcotics base in the Guaviare region. The guerrillas captured General Mendieta and Colonel Murillo in November of that year in an attack on the remote southeastern border with Brazil.
Relatives of the other rescued officers were also overjoyed by the news. "I'm so happy. Finally my prayers have been answered," General Mendieta's wife, Maria Teresa, said between sobs.
"He's celebrating his birthday and it's the best gift... Finally I can celebrate a birthday with him. I can't wait to put my arms around him."
Born soon after his father was kidnapped, Colonel Murillo's 11-year-old son, Sebastian, told Caracol TV: "The first thing I'll tell him is that I love him... that I've missed him a lot."
Colombia's popular hard-line President, Alvaro Uribe, had announced the rescue earlier on Sunday.
News of the high-profile rescue comes one week ahead of runoff presidential elections in which Uribe's chosen successor, former defence minister Juan Manuel Santos, is favoured to beat former Bogota mayor Antanas Mockus. The first round of voting was held on May 30.
Mr Uribe, barred constitutionally from seeking a third term in office, is credited with cracking down on the rebels and cutting the Farc's numbers by half since he took office in 2002.
Mr Santos, who as defence minister was credited with the spectacular July 2008 rescue of Betancourt, three American hostages and 11 military personnel from the Farc, has vowed to continue Uribe's crackdown on insurgents and crime.
Farc rebels still hold at least 19 soldiers and police officers who they hope to swap for some 500 guerrillas in Colombian jails.
Mr Uribe so far has ruled out any prisoner swap with Farc, and Mr Santos renewed his vow to pursue the rebels.
"Colombia can't stop these rescue missions by the military. The only thing FARC can do is to release (their hostages) unilaterally. There will be no swap, because that would encourage more kidnappings," Mr Santos said on the campaign trail in Medellin.
"I'm the happiest woman in the world!" Sergeant Delgado's wife, Gladys Duarte, told RCN radio after hearing the good news.