After initially turning down the offer, FARC has now agreed to discuss the government offer to swap fifty captured FARC members for fifty prominent kidnap victims held by FARC. Usually, FARC offers to release people if a ransom if paid, but for prominent victims, and some police and military personnel, the ransom is either too high, or that option is not offered. FARC has been taking a lot of heat internationally because some of its prominent hostages are popular overseas. FARC depends on international support to  apply pressure on the government, and to obtain medical care for its ageing leadership.