In 2006, FARC murdered 45 hostages because their families did not pay the ransom demanded, according to Gustavo Munoz, Chairman, of an association of relatives of those held hostage in Colombia.

He affirmed that the rebels gave a period of 8 months to the families to pay ransoms for hostages who had been kidnapped to raise money.

“They are under a death sentence. If during the period, the family does not pay the ransom, the person is executed”, he stated, explaining that the rebels demand approx. 9000 dollars to return the body.

FARC, the largest rebel group, numbering 17,000 men, are holding 1,100 hostages as against the 510 held by ELN.

Officially demilitarised following a peace agreement with Alvaro Uribe’s government, AUC, former right-wing paramilitaries, also hold 509 hostages.

FARC also hold 57 hostages among them politicians, military personnel and Ingrid Betancourt, kidnapped on February 2002, as well as three American contractors whom they wish to “exchange” for FARC members held in prison, in and outside Colombia.