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Colombia: Rebels release captured soldier

BOGOTA, July 22 (UPI) -- Colombia's largest left-wing insurgency has freed a Colombian soldier held captive since last month, officials said Friday.

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, issued a communique saying they released the soldier following mediation talks with French officials and the Red Cross.

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French officials -- with Colombia's permission -- have recently established a dialogue with the FARC regarding a high-profile captive who holds both French and Colombian citizenship. During those talks, the rebels reportedly agreed to free the soldier as a show of good faith.

"In response to the work by the French government, with the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross, we are freeing the soldier Duverney Orozco, safe and sound," the FARC said in its statement.

Orozco was abducted last month during a firefight with leftist rebels that left 21 soldiers dead.

FARC has been battling the Colombian government for 41 years.

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