French Foreign Legion corporal escapes Colombian captors after weeks in detention
Kidnapped French Foreign Legion corporal escaped Colombian captors and received medical attention in Pasto.
Event / Conflict
Colombia Armed Groups Violence
Ongoing violence and criminal activities by armed groups in Colombia, including kidnappings, trafficking, and clashes with security forces.
6 reported locations
Daily activity
3 articles0 articles
2026-08-31 to 2026-11-06 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 31 Aug, 11:46 UTC
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What happened
French Defense Ministry states escaped soldier lacked French nationality
The French Ministry of Armed Forces clarified that José Olger Melo Charry did not hold French nationality. His leave authorization permitted him to remain in metropolitan French territory but did not authorize him to travel to Colombia.
Escaped French Foreign Legion corporal airlifted to Pasto for medical observation
After escaping his captors and reaching a police station, José Olger Melo Charry was airlifted from El Ejido to Pasto, the capital of Nariño state, on Sunday morning. He was transported to a medical center where he remained under observation with his family present.
Kidnapped soldier's family received no ransom demand or communication from captors
During the kidnapping of José Olger Melo Charry, his family did not receive any ransom demand or sign of life from his FARC dissident captors.
FARC dissident group led by Iván Mordisco claimed responsibility for French soldier kidnapping
The Colombian guerrilla group EMC, the main dissident faction of the dissolved FARC that refused to sign the 2016 peace agreement, kidnapped José Olger Melo Charry. The rebels learned he belonged to the French Foreign Legion and took him as a captive. The group is led by Iván Mordisco, described as Colombia's most wanted guerrilla fighter.
French Foreign Legion corporal kidnapped in Colombia escapes captors
José Olger Melo Charry, a Colombian corporal serving in the French Foreign Legion, escaped from dissidents of the former FARC after being held for several days in Nariño department in southwestern Colombia. He was kidnapped on August 6 while on leave, traveling on a road in Nariño. The EMC, the main dissident faction of the dissolved FARC, claimed responsibility for his capture. Charry managed to reach a police station on his own on Saturday evening after spending four days evading his captors.
Colombian guerrilla EMC captures French Foreign Legion soldier
José Olger Melo Charry, a corporal on leave in the French Foreign Legion, was captured on August 6 by the Colombian guerrilla group EMC (Central Command) while traveling on a road in Nariño department in southwestern Colombia. The EMC, a dissident faction of the former FARC, confirmed the capture in a statement released on August 30.
EMC rejects 2016 peace agreement with FARC
The EMC, the main dissident faction of the former FARC, rejected the 2016 peace accord originally signed with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. The group remains active primarily in Valle del Cauca and Cauca departments in southwestern Colombia.
President Abelardo de la Espriella takes hardline stance against guerrillas
Right-wing President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office on August 7, promised merciless campaigns against guerrillas and drug traffickers. Deadly military operations have already occurred since his inauguration, and he has promised massive bombing campaigns against powerful drug cartels in response to recent attacks, assassinations, and kidnappings.
EMC threatens retaliation if rescue operations are attempted
The EMC stated that the physical integrity of José Olger Melo Charry is guaranteed as long as no hostile military operations occur in the zone, holding President Abelardo de la Espriella responsible for any rescue operations that could endanger the prisoner's life.
French Foreign Legion comprises 9,000 soldiers of diverse nationalities
The French Foreign Legion is a combat force of the French Army composed of 9,000 soldiers of various nationalities, commanded primarily by French officers.
Ivan Mordisco leads EMC as most wanted guerrilla in Colombia
The EMC is led by Ivan Mordisco, considered the most wanted guerrilla fighter in Colombia. The group remains active in Colombian territory despite rejecting the 2016 peace agreement.
Colombia experiences worst violence wave in a decade
Colombia is experiencing its worst wave of violence in a decade, with numerous armed groups clashing primarily over control of cocaine trafficking operations.
Colombian military has no rescue operation planned
The Colombian military stated on Friday that it has no planned operation to liberate the captured French Foreign Legion soldier as of that date.
Woman traveling with captured soldier released after abduction
A woman traveling with José Olger Melo Charry was also abducted on August 6 but was released a few hours later, according to Colombian military reports.
FARC convicted of over 21,000 kidnappings in half-century conflict
In 2025, a decade after laying down arms, the FARC were found guilty of more than 21,000 kidnappings committed over a half-century of conflict in Colombia.
Captured soldier had no authorization to travel to Colombia
According to the French Ministry of Defense, José Olger Melo Charry did not possess French nationality but held a residence permit for metropolitan France. He was not authorized to travel to Colombia. He arrived in Colombia on August 5, the day before his capture.
EMC claims captured soldier is in good health and receives medical care
The Colombian guerrilla EMC stated that José Olger Melo Charry is alive and in perfect health, has received medical care and adequate food. The group designated him as a prisoner of war rather than accepting the term 'kidnapping' used by Colombian authorities and media.
Read the coverage
2 alternative perspectives
Colombia escalates military response as violence reaches decade-long peak
Colombia escalates military response as violence surges and major guerrilla group rejects peace deal.
French Foreign Legion soldier captured by Colombian guerrilla group EMC
French Foreign Legion soldier captured by Colombian EMC guerrillas; group threatens retaliation against rescue attempts.