Kidnapping dropped dramatically since Colombian President Alvaro Uribe
took power. 101 people were kidnapped in Colombia in the first six
months of 2009, compared to 1,495 in the same period in 2002.
Of the 101 people, 39 were rescued, 16 were liberated due to pressure from authorities, 26 were freed by their captors, 3 died and 11 remain in captivity, according to a Casa de Nariño press release.
Kidnapping statistics are down 93.2 per cent since Uribe came into power in 2002.
The announcement of this figure follow Uribe's authorization Wednesday of Colombians for Peace leader Piedad Cordoba to participate in FARC hostage negotiations. Opposition parliamentarians called the announcement a "smoke screen" to draw attention away from the 'notary scandal'.
The former Superintendent of Notary and Registry denounced the Presidency Wednesday for issuing notaries to Congressmen who voted in favor of Uribe's 2006 re-election.
