started · updated
French Foreign Legion soldier kidnapped in Colombia
José Olger Melo Charry, a Colombian-born corporal serving in the French Foreign Legion, was kidnapped on August 6 in the Nariño department of southwestern Colombia. The incident occurred when Melo Charry was intercepted at an illegal checkpoint near Puerto Remolino, in the Western Cordillera region, while traveling toward Cumbitara. He was on authorized leave to visit family in his home country.
Authorities suspect that dissidents of the FARC, specifically those associated with the Franco Benavides structure, are responsible for the abduction. This group is allegedly led by Ivan Mordisco, one of Colombia's most wanted guerrillas. The kidnappers reportedly took Melo Charry after realizing his affiliation with the French Foreign Legion. A woman traveling with him was also briefly detained but later released.
As of late August, the Colombian military and the Gaula unit are conducting investigations to locate him. While the French Ministry of Defense is monitoring the situation, it clarified that Melo Charry holds Colombian nationality rather than French. No ransom demands or proof of life have been received by the family, and military officials stated that no rescue operation is currently planned.
Entities
FARC · FARC dissidents · French Foreign Legion · Iván Mordisco · José Olger Melo Charry · Nariño
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Melo Charry is a dual Colombian-French citizen and an active non-commissioned officer in the French Foreign Legion. www.leparisien.fr · diariodelcauca.com.co · www.diariodelsur.com.co
- [● 3 SOURCES] The kidnapping occurred on August 6 in the Nariño department of Colombia. www.leparisien.fr · diariodelcauca.com.co · www.diariodelsur.com.co
- [● 24 SOURCES] José Olger Melo Charry was kidnapped in early August. www.leparisien.fr · nachrichten.fr · diariodelcauca.com.co · www.diariodelsur.com.co · www.dna.fr · +15 more
- [● 18 SOURCES] Dissidents of the FARC guerrilla group are suspected of being responsible for the abduction. www.leparisien.fr · nachrichten.fr · www.dna.fr · actu17.fr · www.balkanweb.com · +10 more
- [● 25 SOURCES] José Olger Melo Charry has served in the French Foreign Legion for approximately four years. www.leparisien.fr · diariodelcauca.com.co · www.diariodelsur.com.co · nachrichten.fr · www.dna.fr · +16 more
- [● 18 SOURCES] The group suspected of the kidnapping is allegedly led by Ivan Mordisco. www.leparisien.fr · nachrichten.fr · www.dna.fr · actu17.fr · www.balkanweb.com · +10 more
- [● 27 SOURCES] Melo Charry was on leave in his home country when he was intercepted at an illegal checkpoint. diariodelcauca.com.co · www.diariodelsur.com.co · nachrichten.fr · www.leparisien.fr · www.dna.fr · +18 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] The incident likely occurred near the Puerto Remolino corregimiento in the Western Cordillera. diariodelcauca.com.co · www.diariodelsur.com.co · www.cablenoticias.com
- [● 21 SOURCES] FARC dissidents are the suspected perpetrators of the kidnapping. www.leparisien.fr · www.dna.fr · www.lejsl.com · www.huffingtonpost.fr · www.letelegramme.fr · +12 more
- [● 22 SOURCES] The kidnappers realized Melo Charry belonged to the French Foreign Legion. www.leparisien.fr · www.dna.fr · www.lejsl.com · www.huffingtonpost.fr · www.letelegramme.fr · +13 more
- [● 13 SOURCES] The kidnapping took place in the Nariño department of Colombia. www.leparisien.fr · www.dna.fr · www.lejsl.com · www.huffingtonpost.fr · www.letelegramme.fr · +5 more
- [● 26 SOURCES] The Colombian army announced the kidnapping of a French Foreign Legion soldier. www.leparisien.fr · www.dna.fr · www.lejsl.com · www.huffingtonpost.fr · www.letelegramme.fr · +17 more