Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Tuesday that the United States could help secure a deal for Colombian rebels to free hostages, including three Americans.
"The government of the United States can help, a lot," Chavez said during a meeting with the families of three U.S. defense contractors held hostages by the rebels.
He is acting as a mediator in the crisis, in which the rebels want to swap 45 captives including three Americans for 500 rebel prisoners in Colombian jails.
Chavez mentioned the possibility of a role by U.S. President George W.Bush. "There are no political colors or ideologies here. President Bush, I hope he can help us," Chavez said.
Chavez's consent to play a mediating role was largely due to his personal ties with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe.
Nevertheless, the Venezuelan leader said that the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Colombia's largest rebel group, is demanding that two Colombian rebels imprisoned in the United States be included in any prisoner swap, an idea Uribe strongly opposes.
"Let them return once they've served their sentences," Uribe said in a speech at the United Nations on Tuesday.
Source: Xinhua
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