French Legion soldier escapes Colombian guerrilla captivity after month‑long kidnapping

A French Foreign Legion soldier who had been held captive by Colombian guerrillas for almost a month managed to escape, Colombian military officials said. The soldier was taken during an incident earlier this month and remained in the hands of the guerrilla group until he overpowered a guard and fled.

According to a Colombian military source, the soldier subdued his captor, leapt into a river while his hands were still bound, and then navigated the waterway before beginning a four‑day trek across the Andes. He survived the arduous journey through rugged terrain and reached a location where he could be rescued, ending his ordeal.

The military confirmed the soldier’s safe return and indicated that operations to locate and apprehend the guerrilla members involved are ongoing. No further details about the kidnapping or the identity of the guerrilla group were released.