Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Saturday said he did not give up his mediation efforts to free hostages held by a Colombian anti-government group.
"I have not yet closed the door, because I believe I can still help to free those people," he told a news conference.
Chavez made the remarks one day after Colombia released videos of some of the hostages held for years by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Colombia's largest anti-government group.
The Venezuelan leader presented a letter from FARC leader Manuel Marulanda, saying FARC has expressed willingness to free a group of hostages as part of talks with him.
"I can say that FARC was meeting its promises," he said.
Ties between Venezuela and Colombia have been chilled after Colombian President Alvaro Uribe announced the halt of Chavez's mediation role because Chavez had spoke directly with a Colombian general about the hostages held by FARC.
Chavez responded by putting the ties "in the fridge" and said Colombia deserved a better president.
Uribe, meanwhile, accused Chavez of "coming to Colombia to interfere (in Colombia's domestic affairs) and promote an expansionist project " on the continent.
Chavez has been trying to mediate between FARC and the Colombian government for the release of hundreds of hostages held by FARC, including Ingrid Betancourt, a French-Colombian citizen who was kidnapped in 2002 while campaigning for the presidency.
Chavez's efforts won international praise, particularly from France.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article