Colombia: Ex-captive now foreign minister

BOGOTA, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- Colombia's leader named a new foreign minister Monday to replace Maria Consuelo Araujo, whose brother was accused of ties to the paramilitary.

Fernando Araujo -- no relation to the previous foreign minister -- was held hostage by left-wing rebels for six years until he escaped last month, El Tiempo reported.

President Alvaro Uribe said in a statement that Fernando Araujo was "a reflective citizen, who has suffered in this national tragedy".