NEWS RELEASES
CANADA WELCOMES RELEASE OF CANADIAN HOSTAGE IN NICARAGUA
November 4, 1999 (4:05 p.m. EST) No. 240
CANADA WELCOMES RELEASE OF CANADIAN HOSTAGE IN
NICARAGUA
Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa) David Kilgour today welcomed the
release, yesterday, of Manley Guarducci and Salvador Orlando Rocha Sanchez,
who had been held captive in Nicaragua by a rebel group for more than one month.
Both men were abducted on September 30 by the Frente Unido Andrès Castro. A
Canadian citizen, Mr. Guarducci was working in Nicaragua for the Hemconic
Nicaragua mining company. Mr. Sanchez is a member of the Nicaraguan army.
Mr. Kilgour commended the patience and co-operation of the Government of
Nicaragua in dealing with this very difficult matter. "The Government of Nicaragua
displayed outstanding humanitarian concern for the well-being of the hostages,"
added Mr. Kilgour.
In deploring kidnappings by rebel groups, Mr. Kilgour said, "Canada has been active
in seeking greater international co-operation and action in dealing with this growing
problem and we intend to further energize our efforts in the months ahead."
Secretary of State Kilgour attributed the release of the hostages to the successful
co-operation between Canadian officials in San José and Managua, the Nicaraguan
authorities, the Hemconic Nicaragua company, and local organizations that assisted
in securing the arrangements for the release of Mr. Guarducci and Mr. Sanchez.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Tasha Stefanis
Office of the Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa)
(613) 944-2162
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
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