The International Committee of the Red Cross has voiced grave concern over what it says is Colombia's apparent "deliberate misuse" of its symbol.
The ICRC said video footage suggested the emblem was used deliberately in July's raid to free Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other hostages from rebel hands.
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe apologised last month to the ICRC, saying the use had not been authorised.
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The ICRC says it has seen footage that shows the emblem was being used before the operation to free the hostages from Farc guerrillas had even begun, indicating intentional misuse.
"If authenticated, these images would clearly establish an improper use of the Red Cross emblem, which we deplore," said ICRC deputy director of operations Dominik Stillhart.
Mr Stillhart said they were seeking further clarification from the Colombian government.
'Nervous soldier'
Rescuers tricked rebels into releasing French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt and the other hostages by posing as international aid workers.
Some two weeks after the operation, Mr Uribe confirmed that a Red Cross symbol was worn by a member of the military taking part in the rescue mission.
Mr Uribe said he had apologised to the Red Cross for the error, which he said had been made by a nervous soldier acting against orders.
Falsely portraying military personnel as Red Cross workers is against the Geneva Conventions because it could put humanitarian workers at risk when carrying out missions in war zones.
It also undermines the neutrality of the Red Cross.
(BBC)
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