Three journalists held by Colombia's Marxist ELN rebels have been freed after going missing over the past six days in the restive Norte de Santander province.
Spanish journalist Salud Hernandez, who went missing on Saturday in El Tarra municipality, was freed in the early afternoon and called into various radio and television stations to confirm her release.
Colombian reporter Diego D'Pablos and cameraman Carlos Melo, who went missing on Tuesday after going to the largely lawless northeastern area to cover Hernandez's disappearance, were freed on Friday evening and spoke live to their employer, Noticias RCN.
Hernandez, who had been last seen climbing aboard a motorcycle taxi while reporting a story on the illegal drug trade, thanked the Catholic Church for its help with her release.
Hernandez said at a press conference that National Liberation Army rebels had treated her well and told her they would hold her for several days.
The government confirmed on Thursday that the three journalists were being held by the ELN, which operates in the area alongside larger rebel group the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and criminal gangs.
In a printed statement given to Hernandez, the ELN said it was responding to what it perceived as a security threat.
The release of the reporters could help move the ELN and the government toward beginning the peace talks they announced in March. The negotiations have been delayed by the rebels' continued kidnappings and infrastructure attacks.
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