Four FARC Hostages released

Caracas, Venezuela, 27 February, 2008. According to a televised interview with Red Cross representative, Bárbara Hinterman, the four Colombian hostages held by FARC have been released. After confirmation of the health status, Gloria Polanco, Luis Eladio Pérez, Orlando Beltrán and Jorge Eduardo Géchem were found to be fit to continue their liberating journey to Caracas, Venezuela. On the other hand, Venezuelan Ministry for the Presidency, Jesse Chacon, confirmed hostages had been liberated. He also informed they had telephone contact with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Frias. Just liberated hostages are now on their way to Venezuela. Their families eagerly await their return in Caracas. 

According to unconfirmed information at the Caracol, FARC would have issued a new communiqué at ANNCOL website.  Caracol stated FARC announced these four unilateral releases were the last one; after having showed its willingness to negotiate, FARC felt it did not receive any positive response from the Uribe administration. Thus, negotiations are now called for demilitarization at Pradera and Florida for 45 days. There and then, an humanitatian exchange of prisioners and hostages could take place. Finally, FARC also thanked the humanitarian role played by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Colombian Senator Piedad Cordoba. Colombian government annouced it would continue its military operation against FARC from 6:00 PM today.

More News to come

Sources: VTV, Telesur, Unionradio, Globovision, Caracol, RCN, ANNCOL, Prensa Latina, RNV, El Universal, ABN,

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