Spanish Diplomat And International NGO Director Kidnapped In Colombia

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  • Post category:Crime

Story By: Ana LacasaSub-EditorJoana Mihajlovska, Agency: Newsflash

This Spanish diplomat and international NGO director has been kidnapped on a Colombian motorway.

Jesus Quintana Garcia was kidnapped while travelling along a motorway near the municipality of Toribio located in the Colombian department of Valle del Cauca yesterday (6 December).

Quintana Garcia is the director of the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) in the Latin America and Caribbean division. CIAT is an NGO aimed at fighting poverty and starvation sustainably and is based in the city of Palmira, Valle del Cauca.

@jesquiga/Newsflash

Colombian Police Director Oscar Atehortua said Quintana Garcia was travelling along a motorway that connects the states of Valle del Cauca and Huila when he was stopped by unknown suspects at an illegal roadblock on Sunday (6 December).

However, he refused to give any further information on the case.

Defence Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo said he hopes for the diplomat’s release to take place “as soon as possible” saying that he is “an international government worker with diplomatic status” who is leading a centre which is a “pride” of Colombia.

@jesquiga/Newsflash

There have been no reports on if there has been any sort of contact between the suspects and authorities, or if anyone has claimed responsibility.

The victim had been staying in Colombia as the director of CIAT since 25th March.

CIAT is well-recognised by the United Nations and has several offices across Africa, Europe and South America.

@jesquiga/Newsflash

The investigation on Quintana Garcia’s disappearance is ongoing.

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