COLOMBIA’S government conceded yesterday that it would withdraw troops from the Choco region to facilitate the release of captured General Ruben Dario Alzate. 

Farc rebels had warned that they might cancel the release of Gen Alzate and other hostages due to military buildup near their location.

A spokesman said they had been planning to free the hostages yesterday.

But a statement released by the Farc peace negotiating team in Havana, where peace talks have taken place, warned: “The area has been taken over by the army, with troop deployments, aircraft overflights and security measures that restrict the free movement of the communities who live there.

“Unless conditions change, it will be impossible to release Gen Alzate and his companions this week.”

The government suspended peace talks it had been holding with the rebels in Cuba after Gen Alzate was captured.