Two Spanish tourists kidnapped in Colombia were rescued by police today, as two people suspected of trying to collect a ransom were captured in Spain, officials said.
Two Spanish officers from the nation's kidnapping unit travelled to Colombia and participated in the release of the tourists, Spain's Interior Ministry said in a statement.
The ministry did not give the names of the freed tourists.
The two, from the northern Spanish city of Aviles, were kidnapped in Colombia a month ago.
Colombia's anti-kidnapping unit said officials had found the couple's abandoned car in Guajira state.
It was not clear who was responsible for the kidnapping or whether anyone was arrested in the police operation in Colombia.
The ministry said it had ruled out the participation of Colombia's main rebel group, FARC, and indications were that it was a criminal gang.
It added that a Syrian national and a Spanish citizen were arrested in Madrid after trying to collect a ransom payment.