Press and News The Alliance is grateful for the release of Jesús Quintana, Managing Director for the Americas

December 8, 2020—After being released on Monday, December 7, Jesus Quintana, Managing Director for the Americas of the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, is now back home safe and sound.

“After a medical assessment, the doctors recommended that Jesus take a few days’ rest. He is well, in good spirits and eager to continue promoting agricultural development in the region,” said Juan Lucas Restrepo, Director General of the Alliance.

Restrepo, on behalf of the Alliance, reiterates his gratitude to the Colombian authorities, indigenous communities, social organizations and all those who mobilized to achieve the unilateral and unconditional release of Jesus, who was held for two days by an organized residual armed group, while he was on a personal trip in southern Colombia.

Quintana is a Spanish national who has more than 30 years of experience working in sustainable rural development. Since early this year when he joined our organization, he has been carrying out his work with great impact for the Alliance and especially for the communities in Latin America and the Caribbean. 

The Alliance is grateful to the national and international community for sharing with us the happiness of having Jesus back at home. 

The Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT is an international non-profit organization that delivers scientific solutions that harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform food systems to improve people’s lives in a climate crisis, and works closely together with farmers to better their livelihoods.