Chavez asks new FARC leadership to liberate all hostages unconditionally.

Caracas, Venezuela, 8 June 2008. During his weekly TV show-Aló President- Venezuela President Hugo Chavez urged new FARC leader, Alfonso Cano, to liberate all hostages without conditions. Commenting on the long violent crisis in Colombia, Chavez stated that armed struggle was no longer an effective tool for Latin American revolutionaries. He then said he had missed the chance to argue such idea with deceased FARC founder and leader Marulanda. Chavez added that the Colombian FARC struggle has become a justification for the American presence in Colombia. It is time to lay down arms, Chavez added.

Then, Chavez stated a number of countries would be ready to help FARC reintegration into democratic life in Colombia after all hostages were liberated and peace accords signed. . Chavez mentioned Argentina, Brazil, France, Spain, OAS and the Vatican as possible members of such international initiative. Finally, Chavez recalled all FARC hostages including French Colombian Ingrid Betancourt.

This new proposal for the liberation of FARC hostages takes place after Colombian government has authorised contact with its new leadership. According to Colombian news network Caracol, the contacts with FARC Cano are on the right track now.

Sources: Globovision, Unionradio, Caracol, El Tiempo, El Universal, Telesur, AlJazeera, YVKE, El Espectador, El Mundo.es,PrInside,   

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