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human_rights English News Blog for  Colombia English News Blog February Archive 

Farc rebels offer prisoner exchange deal

By Shannon at 02/27/07 22:50

The FARC hold around 60 well known prisoners including Ingrid Betancourt who was kidnapped on Feb. 23, 2002, as she campaigned for president in southern Colombia. Former, three U.S. defense contractors who were kidnapped four years ago. They have offered their release in return for the freeing of some 500 imprisoned rebels. The 15,000-strong FARC say the towns of Florida and Pradera must be demilitarized for 45 days to allow an exchange of prisoners, something the government has so far rejected.

Original source: Topix. [404 Check: was link to http:/ / www. topix. net/ content/ ap/ 3531045196149966924742173898142652030754, anchor: Colombian Rebels Offer Prisoner Swap]

Betancourt may have been taken out of Colombia

Former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt may have been taken to another country by her captors. Colombian officials say the guerrillas sometimes hide out in poorly patrolled border areas in neighboring countries. With the five-year anniversary of the kidnapping approaching this week the possibility that she may have been moved is high, and although the government continues to search, friends and relatives believe a prisoner exchange is her best hope.

Original source: Reuters. Uribe says Betancourt may be out of Colombia

Betancourt still hostage after 5 years

Ingrid Betancourt has become an international symbol of the suffering of hostages. Photographs and images of the dual French-Colombian national have appeared in both countries as politicians in Bogota and Paris push for her release. Betancourt is among 61 hostages the FARC wants to exchange for jailed rebel commanders as an initial step toward peace talks.

Original source: Topix. [404 Check: was link to http:/ / www. topix. net/ content/ reuters/ 165391348210130686810694382470276898668, anchor: Five years on, Colombian symbol of kidnap nightmare ]

50 Chines found by authorities in one house

An investigation has been launched to establish whether the 50 Chinese nationals fond crammed in a

house in the town of Villa Rosario are victims of illegal human trafficking. Efforts to communicate with them have been difficult because of the language barrier, so it isn’t yet known why they traveled to Colombia.

Original source: The Raw Story. Colombian authorities find 50 Chinese nationals crammed in house

US Contractors are still captive after 4 years

As a policy, the United States says it does not negotiate with terrorist groups, but President Uribe has been trying to negotiate prisoner exchanges and has even allowed military rescue attempts. Unfortunately in the last attempt 3 more contractors died when their plane crashed during a search for the men. Frustration is mounting. Swaps have led to peace talks in the past, and polls show that the majority of Colombians approve of them, but last years car bomb in Bogota caused talks to stall.

Original source: Wichita Eagle. [404 Check: was link to http:/ / www. kansas. com/ mld/ kansas/ news/ world/ 16684181. htm, anchor: 4 years later, U.S. defense contractors still held captive in Colombia]