Pinzon

Mr. Pinzon said the bodies of the slain hostages were found Saturday morning, just a few minutes after the firefight ended between the military and the rebels.

Colombia Rebels Kill Four Hostages Dan Molinski 2011

"This was an indiscriminate terrorist attack," said Mr. Pinzon.

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The killings by the rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, took place in the southern state of Caqueta, Mr. Pinzon said.

Colombia Rebels Kill Four Hostages Dan Molinski 2011

BOGOTA—Colombia's main guerrilla group on Saturday killed four hostages it had been holding for more than 10 years, Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon said.

Colombia Rebels Kill Four Hostages Dan Molinski 2011

Mr. Pinzon defended the military's right to launch the armed rescue attempt, despite the risk that the hostages might be executed by the rebels or caught in the crossfire.

Colombia Rebels Kill Four Hostages Dan Molinski 2011

Mr. Pinzon, 39, hails from a traditional military family and is believed to have a good relationship with the top generals in the Colombian armed forces.

Colombia Changes Defense Chiefs as Rebel Attacks Rise Dan Molinski 2011

Educated at Princeton, Mr. Pinzon will need to carry out a major reshuffle of the top brass in the military, said Alfredo Rangel , a security analyst.

Colombia Changes Defense Chiefs as Rebel Attacks Rise Dan Molinski 2011

Martin Alonso Pinzon the captain of the Pinta and his brother Vicente Yanex Pinzon the captain of the Nina helped organize Columbus' voyages which introduced Europeans to the New World.

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He named Juan Carlos Pinzon , President Santos' chief of staff and a former deputy minister of defense, to be the new defense minister.

Colombia Changes Defense Chiefs as Rebel Attacks Rise Dan Molinski 2011

Mr. Pinzon also said one suspected rebel was captured, and that he was armed.

Colombia Rebels Kill Four Hostages Dan Molinski 2011