( CNN ) -- The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia , commonly known as the FARC , released a soldier hostage on Saturday , the International Committee of the Red Cross reported . The soldier , identified as Josue Alvarez , was captured on January 30 in Narino , a department in southwest Colombia . He was released in that same department to a humanitarian team . `` We hope Mr. Alvarez will soon be reunited with his family , '' Jordi Raich , head of the ICRC delegation in Colombia , said in a statement . `` We are delighted that the operation went smoothly . '' ICRC said it has facilitated the release of eight people this week , including Alvarez , two police officers , also held by the FARC , and five civilians , held by a second rebel group , known as the National Liberation Army , or ELN . The five civilians who were captured January 18 work for a mining company . The police officers were taken in Valle del Cauca , another department in southwest Colombia , and had been held since January 25 . Their releases come amid peace talks between the government and the FARC . The two sides have been at war since the 1960s . Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has said he wants talks wrapped up by November . There have been sporadic attempts at peace in the past . The last effort fell apart in 2002 . Then-President Andres Pastrana ceded an area the size of Switzerland to the guerrilla group , but he ended negotiations after rebels launched a series of attacks across the country in an apparent bid to strengthen their position . CNN 's Dana Ford contributed to this report .
Soldier was captured by the FARC late last month . The Colombian government has said it will not negotiate with rebels who have kidnapped three foreign aid workers and are holding a fourth hostage. FARC rebels , the government are in peace talks .