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Farc rebels 'to release hostages' Farc rebels 'to release hostages'
(about 1 hour later)
The Colombian rebel group, Farc, is set to release at least three hostages to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Cuba's official news agency has said.The Colombian rebel group, Farc, is set to release at least three hostages to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Cuba's official news agency has said.
The hostages will include Clara Rojas, an aide of another hostage, former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, Prensa Latina reported. A communique stated they would include Clara Rojas, who was kidnapped with former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt in 2002, Prensa Latina said.
Ms Rojas's son and former congresswoman Consuelo Gonzalez will also be freed.Ms Rojas's son and former congresswoman Consuelo Gonzalez will also be freed.
Last month, the Colombian government terminated Mr Chavez's role as mediator between the government and the rebels.Last month, the Colombian government terminated Mr Chavez's role as mediator between the government and the rebels.
President Alvaro Uribe said the Venezuelan leader had been in direct contact with Colombia's army chief, despite being told explicitly not to do so.President Alvaro Uribe said the Venezuelan leader had been in direct contact with Colombia's army chief, despite being told explicitly not to do so.
In response, Mr Chavez said he would freeze Venezuela's bilateral ties with its neighbour and close trading partner.In response, Mr Chavez said he would freeze Venezuela's bilateral ties with its neighbour and close trading partner.
Ms Rojas was kidnapped in February 2002 along with Ms Betancourt as she accompanied the French-Colombian national on her presidential campaign. 'Raised by guerrillas'
Ms Rojas, a 44-year-old lawyer and politician, was kidnapped in February 2002 along with Ms Betancourt as she accompanied the French-Colombian national on her presidential campaign.
Clara suffered so much... the guerrillas were in charge of the child John Frank PinchaoFormer Farc captive
Last year, Colombian journalist Jorge Enrique Botero said in a book that Ms Rojas had given birth to a baby boy named Emmanuel following a relationship with one of her Farc captors.Last year, Colombian journalist Jorge Enrique Botero said in a book that Ms Rojas had given birth to a baby boy named Emmanuel following a relationship with one of her Farc captors.
A child, thought to be Emmanuel, was also mentioned by a fellow hostage in a video released by the Farc in July. Further details about Emmanuel were revealed in May by a former police officer who managed to escape from a Farc base in the south of the country after eight years in captivity.
John Frank Pinchao said Emmanuel was three years old, healthy, and raised as "an Indian boy is treated".
Clara Rojas's mother has called for her and Emmanuel's release
"Clara suffered so much," he said. "I could hear her asking to see her son."
"They would take him to see her. Then they would pick him up," he added. "The guerrillas were in charge of the child."
It is not known what the exact relationship between Ms Rojas and Emmanuel's father was, but Mr Pinchao said he was rumoured to have been removed from his post or killed.
Ms Betancourt's husband, Juan Carlos Lecompte, welcomed the news of the possible release of his wife's former assistant.
"It's marvellous news! It's a unilateral gesture by the Farc that is welcome... This is news which fills us with much happiness," he told the Latin American television station, Telesur.