Guide Note
During negotiations to secure the release of up to 45 hostages held by the Colombian rebel group FARC, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez spoke with representatives of the group in October of 2007. French officials encouraged the meetings, but the event caused further conflict between Chavez and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe.
Fast Facts
- FARC is holding an estimated 700 hostages for ransom
- Approximately 40 hostages are being held for political reasons
- Among the hostages are three American citizens
- Negotiations between FARC and Chavez resulted in the release of two hostages
Colombian-Venezuelan Discord
In late November of 2007, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe announced that he no longer wanted Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to act as negotiator for the hostages' return. Chavez replied by freezing ties with Colombia: "I declare before the world that I'm putting relations with Colombia in the freezer because I've completely lost confidence with everyone in the Colombian Government." 1
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