EMC guerrilla group claims capture of French Foreign Legion corporal

The EMC guerrilla group, a major FARC dissident faction in Colombia, has claimed responsibility for the capture of José Olger Melo Charry, a corporal in the French Foreign Legion. The group stated that Melo Charry is in ‘perfect health’ and is being held as a ‘prisoner of war,’ explicitly rejecting the ‘kidnapping’ labels used by Colombian authorities and media.

Melo Charry, a man in his thirties, was taken on August 6 in the Nariño department of southwestern Colombia while on leave. He had arrived in the country only the day before his abduction. According to the Colombian Army, he was traveling with a woman who was also abducted but released a few hours later.

The EMC reported that the capture occurred in a rural area of the Cumbitara municipality during ongoing military operations against their units. The group stated they have informed French authorities, as well as the soldier's family and friends, regarding his status and medical care.

The French Ministry of the Armed Forces noted that while the soldier does not hold French nationality, he possesses a residence permit for mainland France, though not specifically for travel to Colombia. The incident occurs amid heightened tensions in Colombia following the recent inauguration of President Abelardo de la Espriella, who has pledged strict repression against guerrillas and drug traffickers.