Freed FARC hostage reunited with son born in captivity

Newly-released Colombian hostage Clara Rojas was reunited today with her three-year-old son who was fathered by one of her guerrilla captors, but later taken away from her.

Ms Rojas gave birth to Emmanuel in 2004, but the guerrillas separated her from the child when he was eight months old.

A peasant delivered him to Colombian social services, which – unaware of his true identity – placed him in a foster home in the capital Bogota, where he has been for the past two years.

Accompanied by her ageing mother and brother, Ms Rojas returned to Bogota nearly six years after she was kidnapped by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.

Neighbours flocked to greet her at the house where Emmanuel awaited, some shouting: “Freedom!”

The meeting between mother and son lasted about two hours and took place in private. But Ms Rojas said earlier Emmanuel had made her a gift.

Held captive in the jungle since she was abducted in February 2002 by the FARC, Ms Rojas was visibly emotional as she arrived and was greeted by the defence minister and chief peace negotiator.

“I am extremely moved to be back in my land. … I feel like I’ve been reborn, I am back to life,” Ms Rojas said. But she added: “This is not a total happiness because many (hostages) remain and we are waiting for them.”

The FARC holds nearly four dozen high-profile captives including three US defence contractors and French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt, who was abducted alongside Ms Rojas and remains with the rebels.

On Thursday, the FARC handed over Rojas and another kidnapped politician, former congresswoman Consuelo Gonzalez, to a Venezuelan-led delegation which then moved the hostages to Caracas.

Shortly before Ms Rojas’ release, authorities discovered Emmanuel living in the foster home and guessed his identity based on what little was known about him, including that he had a fractured arm. DNA tests later confirmed their suspicions.

Ms Rojas has worn a photo of her son around her neck since she was freed and child psychologists showed the boy pictures of her before their meeting to try to ease the transition away from his foster parents.

Ms Rojas has not revealed much about Emmanuel’s father. She says she does not know whether he is aware of Emmanuel and heard during her captivity that he may have been killed.

Authorities have said they hope Ms Rojas may take permanent custody of the boy in the coming days.