President Chavez of Venezuela was called to negotiate with FARC by President Uribe of Colombia in September of last year. Chavez had much success with FARC, but was hindered by Uribe, a strong-US ally who constantly increased tension and refused to meet demands. Uribe eventually pulled Chavez from the project in November due to pressure from the US. However, Chavez was convinced to continue talks directly with FARC by the families of the hostages. Now that President Chavez has been successful in getting the hostages released to him, President Uribe is even more isolated in his refusal to negotiate with terrorists (a stance he reiterated shortly after the hostages were released). Chavez, however, is eager to free more people if Uribe will permit it.

Two Colombian politicians held for more than five years by the Marxist rebel group Farc have been reunited with their families after being freed in a deal brokered by Hugo Chavez, the Venezuelan president.

Clara Rojas described herself as “being reborn” after she was released along with Consuela Gonzalez on Thursday. Rojas said Farc rebels also gave Venezuelan authorities proof of life for eight other high-profile hostages.

The two women arrived in the Venezuelan capital Caracas on Thursday after being flown to the capital on a private jet from the southern town of Santo Domingo.

Television pictures from the Caracas-based Telesur channel showed both women smiling and looking well as they were released by rebels.

The two were met by members of the International Committee of the Red Cross under whose auspices the operation was undertaken by the Colombian and Venezuelan governments.

It is the first time Farc, Latin America’s oldest rebel group, has released any of its high-profile hostages.

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