French Foreign Legion soldier escapes Colombian captors after monthlong abduction

The short version

• Jose Melo Charry, a French Foreign Legion member abducted on August 6 by a FARC dissident faction in Narino department, escaped after nearly a month.[France 24]
• He escaped by overpowering a guard and subsequently walked through the Colombian Andes for four days to reach safety.[France 24]
• The Central General Staff claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, while French defense officials noted the soldier lacked authorization to visit Colombia.[France 24]

Key facts

• Jose Melo Charry, a French Foreign Legion soldier on leave, was abducted on August 6 in the Narino department by a FARC dissident faction.[France 24]
• The Central General Staff, a prominent dissident rebel group rejecting the 2016 peace accord, claimed responsibility for holding him.[France 24]
• Melo Charry managed to overpower a guard and traversed the Andes terrain for four days to secure his freedom.[France 24]
• The French defense ministry confirmed that Melo Charry did not obtain authorization to travel to Colombia.[France 24]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• How a French Foreign Legion soldier dramatically escaped Colombian captorsFrance 24