Luis Francisco Cuéllar

Cuellar was kidnapped and held for ransom four times by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) between 1987 and 1999:^[2]

1987

Cuellar was first kidnapped in 1987, when FARC rebels came to his farm and waited for him at the gate. He was released after the ransom was paid.

1990

In 1990, he was kidnapped along with his wife, but released after paying ransom. Two months later, his wife and brother, merchant Orlando Cuellar were kidnapped, but released days later.

1995

Cuellar was elected Mayor of

1999

Cuellar was kidnapped near a church in 1999, but was released after a ransom was again paid to the FARC.

Death

Cuéllar was kidnapped by the

Although no group immediately claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, President Uribe blamed the FARC. The FARC later claimed responsibility, but claimed that they had not intended to execute him, but wanted to subject him to a "political trial" for what they claimed was corruption. President Uribe sharply criticized the FARC for these statements, and called them an attempt to justify Cuellar's murder. His wife, Imelda, stated that "He didn't deserve that. He was a very generous man; he loved to be with humble people", and added that she and her husband had spent 41 "wonderful" years together. Human rights organization Amnesty International also condemned the murder.^[7] In January 2010, Henry Lopez Sarmiento, the FARC commander suspected of masterminding Cuellar's kidnapping, was detained by Colombian authorities, and was charged with Abduction and Murder.^[8]

References