Colombia's ELN rebels say have freed all hostages under deal with gov't
BOGOTA (Reuters) -Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels said on Friday they have freed all hostages under a deal made with the country's government to end kidnapping for ransom.
"The Central Command ordered the liberation of all people held for economic ends, all units of the ELN have been reviewed and the order was completely followed," the ELN said in a statement posted to its website.
Defense Minister Ivan Velasquez had said in December that 38 people were being held by the ELN, but updated the figure in January to 26.
The two sides agreed to extend a bilateral ceasefire in early February and the rebels committed to ending a long-running practice of kidnap for ransom.
The government and ELN said on Monday they held a meeting amid difficulties at the talks and will continue negotiations in April.
(Reporting by Luis Jaime AcostaWriting by Julia Symmes Cobb)
