Colombian Ex-Hostage Turns Birding Guide, Aiding Former Captors' Transition
Diego Calderón Franco, a researcher and birding guide, was once kidnapped by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in 2004. Held hostage for 88 days, Calderón Franco was released after his father paid a ransom. Years later, he decided to introduce his former captors to bird-watching, believing it could offer them new career opportunities as guides. Following a peace agreement in 2016, many former FARC fighters sought new livelihoods, and Calderón Franco saw potential in birding due to Colombia's rich avian diversity. The country hosts about 2,000 bird species, making it a prime location for birding tourism. Calderón Franco's initiative has helped transform former combatants into birding guides, fostering healing and economic opportunities in a region long plagued by conflict.