French Foreign Legion soldier kidnapped in Colombia

A soldier in the French Foreign Legion was kidnapped earlier this month in an area dominated by guerrillas in southwestern Colombia, the country's army said Thursday.

Jose Olger Melo Charry, who is French-Colombian, was taken hostage on August 6 while travelling along a road in the department of Narino, according to a Colombian army report seen by AFP.

Those responsible are believed to be the Estado Mayor Central (EMC) – the main breakaway faction of the now-defunct rebel army FARC, which laid down arms in a historic 2016 peace deal.

The rebels took Melo Charry after realising he belonged to the French Foreign Legion, the report added.

Army Colonel Mauricio Osorio told Blu Radio on Thursday that Melo Charry joined the French army "four years ago" and was on leave in his home country.

The soldier "holds the rank of corporal," Osorio said.

The group blamed for the kidnapping is reportedly led by Ivan Mordisco, Colombia's most-wanted guerrilla.

The country's armed groups, which are mainly involved in drug trafficking and illegal mining, use kidnapping for extortion or to pressure authorities.

President Abelardo de la Espriella has adopted a policy of confronting armed groups head-on with help from the United States.

Under his leftist predecessor Gustavo Petro, the government's peace negotiations efforts failed, with the multiple groups financed by drug trafficking and illegal mining.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)