Colombian Guerrillas Free Four Hostages

Colombia's second largest guerrilla group, the National Liberation Army, on Tuesday freed four geologists it had been holding hostage since mid-February, the International Committee of the Red Cross said.

The four -- three Colombian men and a woman -- were turned over to a delegation led by the ICRC and a representative of the Catholic Church in the northwestern province of Norte de Santander, the ICRC said in a statement.

They were working for a subcontractor of the Colombian Geological Service when they were abducted in a remote area of the Norte de Santander province, where the ELN has a strong presence.

The government of President Juan Manuel Santos has held preliminary talks with the ELN about joining in peace talks to end Latin America's longest conflict.