This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7863811.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Colombia hostages freed by Farc Colombia hostage release in doubt
(20 minutes later)
Colombian leftist rebels the Farc have handed over four high-profile hostages to a humanitarian delegation, a spokesman for mediators says. Confusion surrounds the release of four high-profile hostages by Farc rebels, after reports that their handover had been complicated by army operations.
A spokesman for Senator Piedad Cordoba, the left-wing deputy who helped broker the deal, said the four had left the jungle by helicopter. Earlier reports said they had been freed into the hands of a humanitarian delegation in the southern jungle.
They are said to be well, and have spoken to their families by telephone. But Colombian military manoeuvres in the area appear to have delayed their departure from the jungle.
The captives - three police officers and a soldier - were among 28 "political hostages" held by Farc.The captives - three police officers and a soldier - were among 28 "political hostages" held by Farc.
The Farc says two politicians will also be released later in the week.The Farc says two politicians will also be released later in the week.
They were the first unilateral releases by Farc in almost a year, but analysts say chances for peace talks with Colombia's government remain remote. They are the first unilateral releases by Farc in almost a year, but analysts say chances for peace talks with Colombia's government remain remote.
Army pauseArmy pause
Senator Cordoba was joined by a delegation from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to secure the release of the hostages. Senator Piedad Cordoba, a left-wing deputy who helped broker the deal to free them, was joined by a delegation from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to secure the release.
Policeman Alexis Torres Zapata was among the four hostages releasedThey flew into the jungle of Caqueta state to a pre-arranged spot to receive the hostages. Policeman Alexis Torres Zapata was among the four hostagesThey flew into the jungle of Caqueta state to a pre-arranged spot to receive the hostages.
After the handover, they set off by helicopter to Villavicencio, a city east of Bogota. Some reports said the hostages had been released and had already set off by helicopter to Villavicencio, a city east of Bogota.
The army has ceased operations in the area for a limited period to allow the hostage handover. The army was originally thought to have ceased its operations in the area for a limited period to allow the hostage handover.
Farc has said it will be followed by the release of a former lawmaker, Sigifredo Lopez, and a former governor, Alan Jara, by Wednesday.Farc has said it will be followed by the release of a former lawmaker, Sigifredo Lopez, and a former governor, Alan Jara, by Wednesday.
The six are among some 28 "political hostages" held by the group in the hope of securing the release of some of their own jailed members.The six are among some 28 "political hostages" held by the group in the hope of securing the release of some of their own jailed members.
Farc is also believed to hold hundreds of other hostages.Farc is also believed to hold hundreds of other hostages.