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Colombia boy 'is hostage's son' Farc admit 'hostage boy' not held
(about 1 hour later)
DNA tests on a young boy in a Colombian foster home show he is almost certainly the son of a rebel-held hostage, the country's attorney general has said. Farc rebels in Colombia have confirmed a boy living in foster care in Bogota is Emmanuel Rojas, despite earlier assurances they still held him.
Correspondents say the findings are a big blow to the credibility of the Farc rebel movement, which claimed to be holding the boy with his mother. The rebels said he had been transferred to the capital for his own safety.
Questions over his identity emerged amid a Venezuelan-led mission to oversee the release of the pair. DNA tests had shown he was almost certainly the son of Clara Rojas, who is still being held by the rebels.
Rebels had said the release was delayed because of army operations in the area. A much-anticipated release, mediated by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, of mother, son and a third hostage planned for last weekend never took place.
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) announced last month that they were prepared to release Clara Rojas and her son Emmanuel, as well as a former congresswoman, Consuelo Gonzalez de Perdomo, as a goodwill gesture. We're all obviously very surprised by the Farc's behaviour Sergio JaramilloColombian Deputy Defence Minister
The BBC's Jeremy McDermott say the admission is a big blow to the credibility of the Farc rebel movement, and to that of the Venezuelan president.
Farc had said that the planned release had been called off because of Colombian army movements in the area where it was due to take place.
Emmanuel, said to be around three years old, is believed to have been fathered by one of Ms Rojas' captors.Emmanuel, said to be around three years old, is believed to have been fathered by one of Ms Rojas' captors.
Ms Rojas was kidnapped in 2002 along with former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt. She was kidnapped in 2002 along with former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt.
Former congresswoman, Consuelo Gonzalez de Perdomo, had also been due to be freed.
"We're all obviously very surprised by the Farc's behaviour," Colombian Deputy Defence Minister Sergio Jaramillo told the BBC.
"After all President Chavez had tried to help, even named his operation 'Operation Emmanuel', but we now know that the whole time it was clear that the Farc would never have delivered the boy because they never had him."
Venezuelan complaintVenezuelan complaint
Colombian authorities say a malnourished boy matching Emmanuel's description was brought to a hospital in San Jose del Guaviare in June 2005 and then wound up in a Bogota foster home, his real identity unknown. Colombian authorities say a malnourished boy matching Emmanuel's description was brought to a hospital in San Jose del Guaviare in June 2005 and then taken to a Bogota foster home, his real identity unknown.
There are hundreds of hostages held in Colombia Hollywood director Oliver Stone was among the international delegation
The tests indicated a complete match between mitochondria in the blood of the boy - who has been given the name Juan David Gomez - and Ms Rojas' mother, Attorney General Mario Iguaran said, quoted by the Associated Press news agency. DNA tests indicated a complete match between mitochondria in the blood of the boy - who has been given the name Juan David Gomez - and Ms Rojas' mother, Attorney General Mario Iguaran said, quoted by the Associated Press news agency.
This meant a "very high probability" that he was Ms Rojas' son, he added.This meant a "very high probability" that he was Ms Rojas' son, he added.
Mr Iguaran said it would take up to two weeks for a European laboratory to confirm the DNA analysis. Our correspondent says the latest turn of events will not change the plight of hostages in Farc hands.
The BBC's Jeremy McDermott in Colombia says the test results show the Farc rebels were either lying or incompetent, and the news is a severe blow to their credibility. The rebels are unlikely to make any concessions and continue with their demands that hundreds of imprisoned rebels be freed in exchange for their hostages, he adds.
However, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro said the failure to allow Venezuelan specialists to take blood samples from the boy cast a "cloak of doubt" on the results.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who was involved in mediation efforts, had put together an international mission to oversee the handover of the hostages.
But on Monday Mr Chavez read out what he said was a letter from the Farc on Venezuelan television.
The rebels said that continuing operations by the Colombian army had prevented them from turning over the hostages.
Little trust
Our correspondent says the test results are unlikely to change the plight of hostages in Farc hands.
They are unlikely to make any concessions and continue with their demands that hundreds of imprisoned rebels be freed in exchange for their hostages, he adds.
The Farc hold some 45 high-profile hostages, including Ms Rojas, who are considered "exchangeable".The Farc hold some 45 high-profile hostages, including Ms Rojas, who are considered "exchangeable".
But it is believed the guerrillas hold about 750 hostages in total, some for political leverage but many for ransom.But it is believed the guerrillas hold about 750 hostages in total, some for political leverage but many for ransom.