Colombian army captures rebel leader in rescue mission

Colombian armed forces on Thursday captured a local leader of the rebel group National Liberation Army (ELN), according to an army statement.

The leader, who goes by the alias "Horqueta," was captured in the northern Antioquia department when government forces carried out a search and rescue mission after a soldier was kidnapped there Wednesday.

Government forces and rebels clashed in the rural areas of Segovia municipality, before Horqueta, who was injured, was seized.

The missing soldier, Billar Ortiz, was not recovered, but the statement said military operations will continue until the soldier is released.

The ELN is the country's second-largest guerrilla group after the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). It has gained significant control of the territories previously occupied by the FARC because of the latter's ongoing peace process with the government.

The government and the ELN are currently in the final phase of closed-door negotiations and will soon decide whether to open peace talks.
 [Xinhua]
5/2/16
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