Colombians celebrate independence day by calling for peace (updatd)

by rahul | July 20, 2008 at 09:33 am

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Caracas, Venezuela, 20 July 2008. Today, thousands of Colombians have gathered all over the world to celebrate their independence day. Bogotá Bolivar Square has been packed with demonstrators. Most notably, French Colombian Ingrid Betancourt made an appeal from Paris asking for the liberation of remaining FARC hostages. Musical concerts for peace were also held at Paris where Spanish Miguel Bose and Colombian Juanes were joined by Betancourt. Colombians resident in Caracas have also held a public demonstration today for peace and independence day.

Sources: Globovision, BBC, Unionradio,

Colombians hold anti-Farc rally

Hundreds of Colombians have taken to the streets of Bogota, the capital, demanding the release of dozens of hostages still held by the Revolutionary Armes Forces of Colombia (Farc). ....A highlight of the Colombian protests was to be a concert by Shakira, the Colombian pop star. There have been calls for Colombia to rename this year's Independence Day as "Freedom Day" for the 2,800 people held captive in remote jungle and mountain camps by both the Farc and the National Liberation army, another armed group.

The Farc has suffered a series of setbacks recently as a result of a US-backed military offensive. Recent successes against the group have helped to increase the popularity of Alvaro Uribe, Colombia's president. "The Farc has never been as isolated politically or militarily as it is now," Lucia Newman, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Colombia, said. "In all of Colombia, millions of people are expected to gather to call for peace on this Independence day."

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Following the rescue effort there were rumours that Mossad, the Israeli secret service, had been involved in the operation to free Betancourt. A Spanish newspaper on Sunday claimed that Mossad, the US and the French secret service were all involved. "Mossad and the US and French intelligence services worked for more than a year with the Colombian authorities to develop the plan," Vanguardia, the newspaper said, citing an Israeli secret service source.