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FARC Rebels Free 4 Hostages

Prisoners were politicians, who had been held for more than 6 years

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 27, 2008 2:56 PM CST

(Newser) – Colombian FARC rebels today set free four former Colombian legislators who had been held hostage for more than six years. The deal was brokered by Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, and three of the four will fly to Caracas to speak with him. The fourth is in poor health and may require immediate medical treatment, reports CNN.

A spokesman for the Red Cross in Columbia calls the deal to free the four politicians "an excellent collaboration." The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, is holding an estimated 750 hostages in the country's jungle. Other prisoners include a former candidate for president of Colombia and three US citizens.

In this photo released by Miraflores Press Office, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez speaks during a meeting with his ministers at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008.  Chavez brokered the deal to release four politicians from FARC custody. (AP Photo/Miraflores Press Office)
In this photo released by Miraflores Press Office, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez speaks during a meeting with his ministers at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008. ...   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by Miraflores Press Office, a Venezuelan helicopter takes off en route to Colombia to pick up four rebel-held hostages in Santo Domingo, Venezuela, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008.  (AP Photo/Miraflores Press Office)
In this photo released by Miraflores Press Office, a Venezuelan helicopter takes off en route to Colombia to pick up four rebel-held hostages in Santo Domingo, Venezuela, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008. (AP...   (Associated Press)
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