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Colombian Rescue Deal Collapses

Hostages stuck in jungle; guerrillas, army blame each other

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 1, 2008 4:18 AM CST

(Newser) – A Venezuela-brokered deal to rescue three hostages from Colombian rebels has fallen apart, Reuters reports. The leftist FARC rebels blamed the deal's failure on stepped-up Colombian army operations in the area and refused to relinquish hostages "due to fear for their safety and the safety of members involved in the operation," said a statement by the guerrillas.

Colombian president Alvaro Uribe angrily accused the rebels of making excuses. His Venezuelan counterpart, Hugo Chavez, said Uribe sabotaged his plan and suggested there had been interference from the US. He insisted the operation to free the three hostages—two female politicians and a 3-year-old boy born to one of them in captivity —was ongoing. Uribe said the boy was turned over to Colombian foster care 2 years ago.

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez holds Juliana, grand daughter of former Colombian politician Consuelo Gonzalez at Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas, Monday, Dec. 31, 2007. Gonzalez, who has been kept hostage by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, FARC, was one of three hostages whose allegedly release fell apart Monday, with...
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez holds Juliana, grand daughter of former Colombian politician Consuelo Gonzalez at Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas, Monday, Dec. 31, 2007. Gonzalez, who has...   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by Miraflores Press Office, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez greets Clara de Rojas, mother of Colombian hostage Clara Rojas at Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas, Monday, Dec. 31, 2007. A Venezuelan-led mission to rescue three hostages, including a 3-year old boy, from leftist rebels in Colombia's jungles...
In this photo released by Miraflores Press Office, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez greets Clara de Rojas, mother of Colombian hostage Clara Rojas at Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas, Monday,...   (Associated Press)
Colombia's senator Piedad Cordoba, top, speaks on her mobile phone in Villavicencio, Colombia, Monday, Dec. 31, 2007. A Venezuelan-led mission to rescue three hostages, including a young boy, from leftist rebels in Colombia's jungles fell apart Monday, as guerrillas said Colombia's military was sabotaging the promised handoff. Colombian President Alvaro...
Colombia's senator Piedad Cordoba, top, speaks on her mobile phone in Villavicencio, Colombia, Monday, Dec. 31, 2007. A Venezuelan-led mission to rescue three hostages, including a young boy, from leftist...   (Associated Press)
Clara Gonzalez de Rojas, left, mother of kidnapped Colombian politician Clara Rojas, speaks with Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez as her son Ivan Rojas looks on at Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas, Monday, Dec. 31, 2007. A Venezuelan-led mission to rescue three hostages held by leftist rebels in Colombia's jungles fell...
Clara Gonzalez de Rojas, left, mother of kidnapped Colombian politician Clara Rojas, speaks with Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez as her son Ivan Rojas looks on at Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas,...   (Associated Press)
Venezuela's Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro, second right, walks before a meeting with Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe at a military base in Villavicencio, Colombia, Dec. 31, 2007. A Venezuelan-led mission to rescue three hostages held by leftist rebels in Colombia's jungles was on the verge of collapse Monday, with the guerrillas...
Venezuela's Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro, second right, walks before a meeting with Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe at a military base in Villavicencio, Colombia, Dec. 31, 2007. A Venezuelan-led...   (Associated Press)
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