Erika Natalia Campiño, a member of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, was behind the kidnapping of Alan Jara, who served as governor of the east-central province of Meta, Gen. Francisco Patiño said.

Jara was kidnapped in Colombia’s Eastern Plains region on July 15, 2001.

The two-time governor of Meta was working with the United Nations when he was intercepted by the FARC while traveling in a U.N. vehicle through a rural area of the province.

The politician, who spent more than seven years as a hostage of the FARC, was released by the rebels last year.

Campiño faces kidnapping, rebellion and other charges, Patiño said.

The guerrilla was “carrying out intelligence activities against celebrities” and recruiting young people for the FARC, the general said.

The Colombian government has made fighting the FARC a top priority and has obtained billions in U.S. aid for counterinsurgency operations.