Latest news about Robert Pelton

Below is quoted verbatim from Black Flag Cafe Robert Pelton's own Travel Forum. (Note RYP=Robert Young Pelton)

This is what we've pieced together from Linda's knowledge of RYP's itinerary and from my contacts in Colombia:
Jan 6- RYP informed his wife he was enroute to Darien Gap area of Panama. He was working on story for National Geographic Adventure. His planned route was across the border and on to Turbo Colombia (on the Golfo de Uraba) and then south on the highway (it is assumed) to Medellin and flight home arriving 15 Jan. After no contact after nearly 2 weeks and 5 days overdue on his planned flight home she contacted "Aquil" and myself.
Jan 16 - RYP and 2, possibly three others, (now identified in Wash Post article)talked with Panamanian authorities in Pucuru, Panama near Colombian border. They received travel advisory. They contracted 3 local guides.
Jan 17 - Departed 3am and arrived 3pm in, it is believed, Cerro Tubum (said to be in Panama). On either 17 or 18 Jan FARC raided a village, possibly Paya. Shooting reported. RYP and companions reported fleeing into jungle.
One guide believed wounded.
Jan 18 - Three Indian elders abducted by FARC and beaten/tortured. Village headman reportedly executed. Source was reported as son of one of elders who escaped.
Guerrillas seen to have one guide tied up.

A Father Leonides (sp?) reported seeing RYP being escorted by "paramilitaries" Colombian Army sources had assumed RYP was in FARC custody. Press release from AUC (as per Wash Post article) is a positive turn of events. Source in Bogota has received equal confirmations and denials that AUC report is valid.
Panamanian and Colombian consulates/embassies now informed of situation.
The situation looks very positive that he and companions are being safeguarded by AUC elements who will safely escort him out of the area.
Information gathering continues in attempt to confirm AUC claims, etc. Anyone wishing to help or media requesting information can contact me at: para6@hotmail.com

It confirms some of my own suspissions that it wasn't actually AUC behind the attacks but FARC. I'd never heard of AUC in Panama before but FARC have a history of attacking the population in Darien. Of course again it's all hear say, but this is probably more realistic.
AUC's chief Carlos Castana is desperate to be legitimized. He's offered to give himself up to the US and has up held a unilateral seace fire for over a month now.