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Colombian Hostages Joyfully Return to Families

Posted Jan 10, 08 9:25 PM CST in World 

(Newser) – Two freed hostages are back with their families tonight after years of captivity in the Colombian jungle, CNN reports. "We are being reborn!" said Clara Rojas as she was reunited with her elderly mother in Venezuela. "This is like living again," said her fellow former hostage, Consuelo Gonzalez. "Sometimes I think it's a dream."

The two women thanked Hugo Chavez for negotiating with the Colombian rebels who kidnapped them. "You're helping us, president, return to life," said Rojas, 44, in a taped telephone call. She was kidnapped in 2002, Gonzalez, 57, in 2001. A previous attempt to free them collapsed last month.
Sources: CNN, BBC

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Consuelo Gonzalez, released hostage of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, left, her daughter Maria Fernanda Perdomo, center, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, holding Gonzalez's granddaughter...   (Associated Press)
Released Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, hostage Clara Rojas waves as she arrives to the Maiquetia airport near Caracas Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008. Helicopters sent by Venezuela's President...   (Associated Press)
Consuelo Gonzalez, released hostage of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, left, is greeted by her daughters Patricia, right holding her baby daughter Juliana, and Maria Fernanda Perdomo,...   (Associated Press)
Consuelo Gonzalez, released hostage of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, left, hugs Clara de Rojas, the mother of a second released hostage, Clara Rojas, upon arrival to Simon Bolivar...   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by Miraflores Press Office, Clara Rojas, released hostage of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, left, is kissed in the forehead by Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez...   (Associated Press)
People hold a silhouette of Ingrid Betancourt, the Colombian presidential candidate that was kidnapped by leftist rebels six years ago, during a march to ask for the release of all the hostages in Bogota,...   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by Miraflores Press Office, hostage Clara Rojas, released hostage of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, right, is greeted by her mother Clara de Rojas as she arrives...   (Associated Press)
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Venezuela • Colombia • hostage • Hugo Chávez • Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia • Clara Rojas • Consuelo Gonzalez


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