French Foreign Legion soldier kidnapped in southwestern Colombia: army

An off-duty soldier in the French Foreign Legion was kidnapped this month in an area dominated by guerrillas in southwestern Colombia, the country's army said Thursday.

Jose Olger Melo Charry was taken hostage on August 6 while traveling along a road in the department of Narino, according to a Colombian army report seen by AFP.

Those responsible are believed to be the Estado Mayor Central (EMC) -- the main breakaway faction of the now-defunct rebel army FARC which laid down arms in a historic 2016 peace deal.

The rebels took Melo Charry after realizing that he belonged to the French Foreign Legion, the report added.

A spokesperson for the French armed forces ministry told AFP it was monitoring the case closely, along with the foreign ministry.

"The French armed forces extend their thanks to Colombia for opening an inquiry," the spokesperson said.

Army Colonel Mauricio Osorio told Blu Radio on Thursday that Melo Charry joined the French army four years ago and was on leave in his native country.

The soldier holds the rank of corporal, Osorio said, and holds only Colombian citizenship, according to the French armed forces ministry. Initial reports had said he was French-Colombian.

The French Foreign Legion allows foreign recruits to apply for French citizenship after five years' service.

The group blamed for the kidnapping is commanded by a man known as Ivan Mordisco, Colombia's most-wanted guerrilla.

The country's armed groups, which are mainly involved in drug trafficking and illegal mining, use kidnapping for extortion or to pressure authorities.

President Abelardo de la Espriella has adopted a policy of confronting armed groups head-on with help from the United States.

Under his leftist predecessor Gustavo Petro, the government failed in peace negotiations with multiple groups financed by drug trafficking and illegal mining.

Melo Charry's military leave did not authorize him to enter Colombia, France's armed forces ministry said.