31/12/2007 > COLOMBIA
International pressure is very important. This is a crucial moment for the families of all the hostages in Colombia. But it appears that for the moment they’re only thinking about three of the people held captive.
President Uribe says that there are 500 hostages, which is ridiculous. We don’t know the exact number of prisoners but some say it’s around 6500.
I’m astonished that Latin American countries aren’t doing more about this crisis. Why don’t Argentina, Chile, Brazil and Cuba get more involved?"
We have a glimmer of hope again. The interventions of Hugo Chavez and the Colombian senator Piedad Cordoba, who served as a mediator, were crucial.
This unilateral gesture by the FARC, even if it was officially addressed to Chavez, means that negotiations with the Colombian government can continue in an indirect manner. The parties are moving and things are finally going in the right direction. (…) Now, Alvaro Uribe’s government must get back to the FARC with a strong message so that the developments can continue.
There are backstage conflicts between the Colombian and Venezuelan governments, but the presence of international observers, like the Argentine president Kirchner, should guarantee the safe release of the hostages without any violence.
Concerning Ingrid and the other hostages, the fight is far from over. Ingrid is more valuable to the FARC than anyone else. Without a doubt we need a global solution for them to accept her release. We decided to fight for the release of all the hostages, and we will not stop until every one is set free.”
The Colombian people are tired of playing ping pong between Caracas and Bogota. Over the last two months I believe Hugo Chavez’s reputation has dropped further still. In fact, despite President Uribe’s recent diplomatic outbursts, his popularity is on the rise and many trust him to succeed in negotiations with the FARC. Concerning Chavez, they’re constantly questioning his real motives. On a diplomatic level, Chavez could profit from this situation by further isolating the Colombian president, amid the general left-wing shift that is sweeping through South America.
Naturally, Colombia would be delighted to see the return of little Emmanuel, born in captivity to Clara Rojas, as he has become a symbol of popular protest against the FARC. But they also remind themselves of past governments’ failures (Ernesto Samper from 1994- 1998, Andres Pastrana from 1998 to 2002, and Alvaro Uribe in his first term from 2002 to 2006). People remain sceptical of the negotiations. They’re not holding their breath.
What is clear is that Colombia’s almost immediate acceptance of Venezuela’s offer highlights important progress in relations between the two countries. The success of this joint operation will help warm relations between the two neighbours, who traded more than a billion dollars in 2007…”
Statement from the father of one of the FARC hostages
Will they stay or will they go? While everyone eagerly awaits the liberation of Clara Rojas, her son Emmanuel and the former lawmaker Consuelo González Pérdomo, our Observers report on the atmosphere in Colombia. The father of hostage Ismael Márquez hopes that the release of some of the prisoners will speed up the process for his son, who’s been held captive since 1999. Meanwhile, Ingrid Betancourt's stepson reminds us that as the FARC’s most high-profile hostage, she will be the last to leave.
The contributors
"they’re only thinking about three of the people held captive"
A 33-year-old lawyer, Ismael Márquez’s son has been detained by the FARC since 1999. During that time, they’ve only spoken twice, by phone.
International pressure is very important. This is a crucial moment for the families of all the hostages in Colombia. But it appears that for the moment they’re only thinking about three of the people held captive.
President Uribe says that there are 500 hostages, which is ridiculous. We don’t know the exact number of prisoners but some say it’s around 6500.
I’m astonished that Latin American countries aren’t doing more about this crisis. Why don’t Argentina, Chile, Brazil and Cuba get more involved?"
Commentary by Ingrid Betancourt's stepson
Sebastien Delloye is the son of Fabrice Delloye, the former husband of Ingrid Betancourt. He currently lives in Belgium and works in broadcasting.
We have a glimmer of hope again. The interventions of Hugo Chavez and the Colombian senator Piedad Cordoba, who served as a mediator, were crucial.
This unilateral gesture by the FARC, even if it was officially addressed to Chavez, means that negotiations with the Colombian government can continue in an indirect manner. The parties are moving and things are finally going in the right direction. (…) Now, Alvaro Uribe’s government must get back to the FARC with a strong message so that the developments can continue.
There are backstage conflicts between the Colombian and Venezuelan governments, but the presence of international observers, like the Argentine president Kirchner, should guarantee the safe release of the hostages without any violence.
Concerning Ingrid and the other hostages, the fight is far from over. Ingrid is more valuable to the FARC than anyone else. Without a doubt we need a global solution for them to accept her release. We decided to fight for the release of all the hostages, and we will not stop until every one is set free.” Our Observer Sebastien Longhurst reports on feelings in Colombia
The Colombian people are tired of playing ping pong between Caracas and Bogota. Over the last two months I believe Hugo Chavez’s reputation has dropped further still. In fact, despite President Uribe’s recent diplomatic outbursts, his popularity is on the rise and many trust him to succeed in negotiations with the FARC. Concerning Chavez, they’re constantly questioning his real motives. On a diplomatic level, Chavez could profit from this situation by further isolating the Colombian president, amid the general left-wing shift that is sweeping through South America.
Naturally, Colombia would be delighted to see the return of little Emmanuel, born in captivity to Clara Rojas, as he has become a symbol of popular protest against the FARC. But they also remind themselves of past governments’ failures (Ernesto Samper from 1994- 1998, Andres Pastrana from 1998 to 2002, and Alvaro Uribe in his first term from 2002 to 2006). People remain sceptical of the negotiations. They’re not holding their breath.
What is clear is that Colombia’s almost immediate acceptance of Venezuela’s offer highlights important progress in relations between the two countries. The success of this joint operation will help warm relations between the two neighbours, who traded more than a billion dollars in 2007…”
