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Colombians say 'No More' to Farc Colombians in anti-Farc protests
(about 4 hours later)
Colombians around the world have begun a day of protests against the Marxist rebel group Farc.Colombians around the world have begun a day of protests against the Marxist rebel group Farc.
The 'No More' movement, launched on the internet, will culminate with a major protest in the capital, Bogota. The "No More" movement, launched on the internet, will culminate with a major protest in the capital, Bogota.
Some groups have opposed the march, including some relatives of hostages, who fear the demonstrations may provoke Farc into treating them more harshly.Some groups have opposed the march, including some relatives of hostages, who fear the demonstrations may provoke Farc into treating them more harshly.
Farc rebels pledged at the weekend to release three high-profile political hostages for health reasons.Farc rebels pledged at the weekend to release three high-profile political hostages for health reasons.
No handover date was given.No handover date was given.
Global protestGlobal protest
Colombian expatriates held 'No More Farc' demonstrations in the Japanese capital, Tokyo, and in three cities in Australia. Colombian expatriates held "No More Farc" demonstrations in the Japanese capital, Tokyo, and in three cities in Australia.
In Colombia, marches are planned for 45 cities.In Colombia, marches are planned for 45 cities.
The BBC's Jeremy McDermott says school has been cancelled across much of the country so that children can join in, and many businesses have given their workers permission to march.The BBC's Jeremy McDermott says school has been cancelled across much of the country so that children can join in, and many businesses have given their workers permission to march.
The protest was started on the social networking website Facebook by a 33-year-old engineer, Oscar Morales, from his home in Barranquilla on Colombia's Caribbean coast.The protest was started on the social networking website Facebook by a 33-year-old engineer, Oscar Morales, from his home in Barranquilla on Colombia's Caribbean coast.
Over 250,000 Facebook users signed on, and the movement was taken up by newspapers and radio and television stations across the country.Over 250,000 Facebook users signed on, and the movement was taken up by newspapers and radio and television stations across the country.
The overall turnout for Monday's protests is expected to be in the millions, our correspondent says.The overall turnout for Monday's protests is expected to be in the millions, our correspondent says.
Hostage releaseHostage release
Some relatives of Farc captives have expressed reservations about the demonstrations.Some relatives of Farc captives have expressed reservations about the demonstrations.
Some fear protests will make captives' conditions worse"Maybe neither the hostages not the humanitarian exchange or peace will benefit," the mother of Ingrid Betancourt, a high-profile hostage, is quoted as saying in Semana magazine.Some fear protests will make captives' conditions worse"Maybe neither the hostages not the humanitarian exchange or peace will benefit," the mother of Ingrid Betancourt, a high-profile hostage, is quoted as saying in Semana magazine.
But armed forces chief Gen Freddy Padilla says negative coverage coming from the 'No More' movement is behind the Farc's weekend announcement that they would release three more political captives.But armed forces chief Gen Freddy Padilla says negative coverage coming from the 'No More' movement is behind the Farc's weekend announcement that they would release three more political captives.
The rebels said at the weekend that former lawmakers Luis Eladio Perez, Gloria Polanco and Orlando Beltran, who have been held for over six years, were to be released on the grounds of their health.The rebels said at the weekend that former lawmakers Luis Eladio Perez, Gloria Polanco and Orlando Beltran, who have been held for over six years, were to be released on the grounds of their health.
No further details were given.No further details were given.
But letters from fellow captives, carried by freed hostages Clara Rojas and Consuelo Gonzales last month, describe harsh detention conditions and debilitating jungle illnesses including malaria and chronic diarrhoea.But letters from fellow captives, carried by freed hostages Clara Rojas and Consuelo Gonzales last month, describe harsh detention conditions and debilitating jungle illnesses including malaria and chronic diarrhoea.
ChavezChavez
A Farc statement said that the planned release sprang from mediation efforts by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in the country's long-running conflict.A Farc statement said that the planned release sprang from mediation efforts by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in the country's long-running conflict.
The role of Mr Chavez has caused diplomatic tensionsThe group offered to make the handover to Mr Chavez and a Colombian opposition senator "personally, or through representatives".The role of Mr Chavez has caused diplomatic tensionsThe group offered to make the handover to Mr Chavez and a Colombian opposition senator "personally, or through representatives".
The group released Ms Rojas and Ms Gonzales in January in a deal that Mr Chavez helped to broker.The group released Ms Rojas and Ms Gonzales in January in a deal that Mr Chavez helped to broker.
Relations between Colombia and Venezuela have become tense over Mr Chavez's role in dealing with the rebels.Relations between Colombia and Venezuela have become tense over Mr Chavez's role in dealing with the rebels.
Although originally invited to mediate in hostage negotiations by his Colombian counterpart Alvaro Uribe, the invitation was withdrawn in November when the Colombian government accused him of overstepping his mandate.Although originally invited to mediate in hostage negotiations by his Colombian counterpart Alvaro Uribe, the invitation was withdrawn in November when the Colombian government accused him of overstepping his mandate.
Despite strained ties with Mr Chavez, the Colombian government said on Sunday it welcomed the proposed hostage release and would do what was necessary to bring it about.Despite strained ties with Mr Chavez, the Colombian government said on Sunday it welcomed the proposed hostage release and would do what was necessary to bring it about.
"For us, the release of the hostages is above all other consideration," Justice Minister Carlos Holguin told local radio."For us, the release of the hostages is above all other consideration," Justice Minister Carlos Holguin told local radio.