Image copyright AFP Photo/ RCN TV Image caption Mr Sanchez was taken hostage in April 2016 - after agreeing to take the place of his sick brother

Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels have freed a key hostage, clearing the way for peace talks with the government next week. The National Liberation Army released Odin Sanchez, 62, to the International Committee of the Red Cross, which will accompany him on a flight to Quibdo, in northwestern Choco province, a government official told reporters. Sanchez was expected to be welcomed as a hero in his native Quibdo, in western Colombia, for his brave decision last April to swap himself for his ailing brother, who had been taken captive by the ELN a few months earlier. After months of foot-dragging and doubts, Colombia's second-largest guerrilla group has released a key hostage, clearing the way for formal peace talks, President Juan Manuel Santos announced Thursday. The country is currently implementing a peace deal with the larger Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, and the inclusion of the ELN is expected to strengthen that process.
The National Liberation Army releases former congressman Odin Sanchez, who had been held hostage by the rebel group since April 2016, paving the way for peace talks to begin between the rebels and the Colombian government next week in Ecuador.