Jackson to mediate release of American in Colombia
HAVANA — The Rev. Jesse Jackson said Saturday that he had agreed to mediate in the case of a former U.S. soldier held captive by Colombia’s largest guerrilla group since June, calling the American’s release “imminent.” The U.S. civil rights activist announced his intervention in the case of Kevin Scott Sutay after meeting late into the previous night with leaders of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC. FARC and Colombian government negotiators have been holding peace talks in Havana since November 2012. “We accept this obligation and opportunity to render service to Kevin Scott, his family and our nation,” Jackson told reporters outside Havana’s Hotel Nacional. “We have made contact with the [U.S.] State Department urging them to contact the next of kin of Kevin Scott and let them know his release is imminent,” added Jackson, who plans to travel to Colombia next week. But after hearing the announcement, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said on Twitter that “only the Red Cross will be authorized to facilitate the handover of the North American kidnapped by the FARC. We will not allow a media spectacle.” Sutay, a former Army combat engineer and private who served in Afghanistan, was detained by the rebels in June while walking through the jungle southeast of the Colombian capital, Bogota. According to the FARC, he was wearing military fatigues and carrying surveillance equipment. Earlier Saturday, the FARC issued a statement asking Jackson “to make available his experience and integrity to expedite Kevin Scott’s release.” It said it intends to free him unilaterally. Jackson has traveled to Yugoslavia, Syria and Iraq to help secure the release of detained American citizens.