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Hostage-takers release Guatemalan ambassador
103 remain captive in Peru
December 26, 1996
Web posted at: 4:00 p.m. EST (2100 GMT)LIMA, Peru (CNN) -- Peruvian rebels Thursday afternoon freed another hostage, Guatemala's ambassador to Peru, reducing to 103 the number they hold inside the Japanese ambassador's home.
Appearing fit, Ambassador Jose Maria Argueta smiled as he walked out of the besieged residence.
Red Cross official Michel Minnig accompanied Argueta after his release. He said the rebels released the ambassador in recognition of a peace agreement being signed in Guatemala by the government and rebels in that country.
Argueta's release comes a day after the hostage-takers freed an ailing Japanese diplomat, one of more than 400 released since leftist Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement rebels seized the Japanese ambassador's house during a party December 17.
On Tuesday, the rebels freed Uruguayan Ambassador Tabare Bocalandro, hours after a Uruguayan court released two alleged Tupac Amaru rebels from a jail there.
Early Thursday morning, an explosion was heard at the booby-trapped Japanese ambassador's residence in Lima. The blast may have been caused by an animal setting off one of the mines reportedly placed by the rebels, Red Cross officials said.
The Red Cross said it had received no reports of injuries to hostages from the 1:43 a.m. (0643 GMT) blast.
There was no further explanation of what kind of animal might have triggered the blast or whether the explosion occurred inside the building or on the grounds, which are surrounded by a 10-foot (3-meter) wall.
Local newspapers speculated the blast might have been caused by a cat treading on one of the mines reportedly planted on the premises by the rebels.
Night-vision video showed no smoke from the blast, but its force triggered lights and warning sirens from neighborhood car alarms.
The Tupac Amaru rebels are demanding that the Peruvian government release more than 300 of their jailed colleagues.
Related stories:
- Animal may have caused Peru hostage blast - December 26, 1996
- Another hostage, apparently ill, released in Peru - December 25, 1996
- Hostage freed in Peru after Uruguay makes concession - December 24, 1996
- Peru hostage crisis at impasse on Christmas Eve - December 24, 1996
- Stalemate develops in Peru hostage crisis - December 23, 1996
- Peru rebels dig in with remaining 140 hostages - December 23, 1996
Related sites:
Note: Pages will open in a new browser window
- Peru Info Internet
- Overview of Latin American Terrorism - Peru
- Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA)
- MRTA Solidarity Page
- Latinworld.com - Peru
- International Committee of the Red Cross
External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.
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