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Darien kidnap victim ransomed

Rescued kidnap victim Alberto González told prosecutors that his captors had asked $1.5 million for his safe return.

LA PRENSA

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The four suspects arrested this week in Darién for the kidnapping of local rancher Alberto Gonzáles had demanded a $1.5 million ransom for his safe return.

In an interview with public prosecutors, González said that his captors identified themselves as members of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC), and that they had planned the kidnapping two weeks before carrying it out.

González also reported that the four men had explained that he would be kept captive for at least one or two years, the period of time they had calculated would be necessary for González’s relatives to come up with the $1.5 million ransom.

He also confirmed while he was held there was no physical or mental abuse or in any other any way, although he remained tight and with his eyes covered at all times.

Police returned Alberto González to his Metetí home yesterday, where he will remain under police protection.

According to the police reports, the 26-year-old González was taken from his home Thursday evening by four men with a Colombian accent and wearing military clothes.

Police liberated González the next day, after exchanging fire with his captors in the mountains above Metetí.