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Farc rebels 'to release hostages' Farc rebels 'to release hostages'
(about 4 hours 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.
A communique stated they would include Clara Rojas, who was kidnapped with former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt in 2002, Prensa Latina said.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.
'Nice Christmas gift'
In a statement sent to Prensa Latina, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) said they had already given the order to release the three hostages to Mr Chavez or "whomever he opts to designate" - although it did not say when the handover would happen.
Clara Rojas's mother has called for her and Emmanuel's releaseThe Farc also reiterated their demand that President Uribe demilitarise a large area of south-western Colombia that would serve as a "meeting point" for the proposed exchange of 45 hostages for 500 imprisoned guerrillas.
The rebel group described as "unacceptable" the government's current proposal for a smaller safe zone in what it called an "inhospitable, remote and clandestine" area, according to Prensa Latina.
In the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, Mr Chavez confirmed the Farc had also sent him the statement about the release.
"This appears to be a nice Christmas gift, especially for the families of these people," he said.
'Raised by guerrillas''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.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 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. Ms Rojas's mother, Clara Gonzalez, broke down in tears when she head news of the impending releases and said she hoped it was true.
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. "This is the moment I have waited for... this closes the circle," she told local radio.
John Frank Pinchao said Emmanuel was three years old, healthy, and raised as "an Indian boy is treated". Ms Betancourt's mother, Yolanda Pulecio, told the Venezuelan television channel, VTV, that she was "very happy for the families of Clara and Consuelo".
Clara Rojas's mother has called for her and Emmanuel's release "The only thing I ask the guerrillas is that they also think of my daughter, who is suffering so much," she said.
"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.