Far-left politics

Colombian government officials and representatives of the FARC rebels movement officially launched their peace talks Thursday in Norway.

Colombia’s drug-fueled guerrilla war has gone on for nearly half a century. The last round of peace talks fell apart 10 years ago. The two sides have been meeting in Cuba and may soon start formal peace negotiations. John Otis has the story.

Ten Colombian soldiers and policemen had emotional reunions with their families on Tuesday, a day after being freed by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (the FARC). Some had been held for up to 14 years.

A new documentary and book are telling the story of an unlikely member of Colombia’s FARC guerrilla force, a female university professor from the Netherlands. She sought out and joined the FARC rebels about 8 years ago. Reporter John Otis has the story.

The father of a Colombian soldier who has been held by the FARC rebel group for almost 12 years is carrying a cross through the country to remind people of those hostages still being held in the jungle. John Otis reports from Colombia