"If Mono Jojoy hands over hostages, abandons guerrilla ranks, he won't be pardoned or get an amnesty, but he can have freedom”: Uribe

Yesterday, during a press conference after receiving the Medal of Freedom in Washington, president Álvaro Uribe Vélez offered freedom to the top guerrilla commander Jorge Briceño, popularly known as ‘Mono Jojoy’. The offer was a renewed call to the FARC to encourage them to desert and enjoy conditional freedom and a reward.

This is another policy by the Colombian government that adds up with the recent desertions of guerrillas along with hostages. Nevertheless, some human rights groups find it controversial arguing that freeing and rewarding rebels is no form of justice for victims and their families.