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Chavez hostage call to Colombia Chavez Farc hostage plan approved
(about 1 hour later)
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has said his planes are ready to fly into Colombia to pick up rebel-held hostages and called on Bogota for permission. The Colombian government has approved a plan by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to send planes into Colombia to pick up rebel-held hostages.
The Colombian rebel group, Farc, has said it will free two hostages and a child but only to Mr Chavez. The Colombian rebel group, Farc, said it would free two hostages and a child but only to Mr Chavez.
Mr Chavez's mediation broke down last month when Colombian President Alvaro Uribe told him to end negotiations.Mr Chavez's mediation broke down last month when Colombian President Alvaro Uribe told him to end negotiations.
The left-wing Farc has been fighting the government for more than four decades and holds dozens of hostages.The left-wing Farc has been fighting the government for more than four decades and holds dozens of hostages.
Mr Chavez told reporters in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas: "The only thing we need is authorisation from the Colombian government. We hope they will cooperate with us."Mr Chavez told reporters in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas: "The only thing we need is authorisation from the Colombian government. We hope they will cooperate with us."
The Colombian government then confirmed Venezuelan aircraft could enter its territory to pick up any freed hostages - but it said the planes must carry Red Cross markings.
The rebels have offered to free Clara Rojas, a former presidential candidate's aide captured in 2002, and her young son Emmanuel, who was reportedly fathered by one of her guerrilla captors.The rebels have offered to free Clara Rojas, a former presidential candidate's aide captured in 2002, and her young son Emmanuel, who was reportedly fathered by one of her guerrilla captors.
The other hostage is former congresswoman Consuelo Gonzalez, who was kidnapped in 2001.The other hostage is former congresswoman Consuelo Gonzalez, who was kidnapped in 2001.
The Farc (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) hold 46 hostages whom they want to exchange for hundreds of imprisoned guerrillas. The Farc (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) wants to exchange its hostages for hundreds of imprisoned guerrillas.
The BBC's Jeremy McDermott in Colombia says the rebels have got what they wanted by embarrassing their sworn enemy, Alvaro Uribe.The BBC's Jeremy McDermott in Colombia says the rebels have got what they wanted by embarrassing their sworn enemy, Alvaro Uribe.