After the recent release of two high profile hostages, Colombia’s FARC are reportedly considering the freedom of more kidnapped citizens.
Clara Rojas and Consuelo Gonzalez, formerly high profile politicians, were released by the insurgent guerrilla group in early January. The pair were plucked from a high-mountain location by Venezuelan Red Cross helicopters in a deal brokered by Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez and Liberal Party Senator Piedad Cordoba.
Now Senator Cordoba claims more hostages, as yet not identified, will be released “very soon, in the next few days.” Work to release the next hostages is being negotiated through similar channels, claims the senator. She additionally remarked three days ago that she is currently working hard to secure the release of former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt “very soon.”
During her long senatorial career, Miss Cordoba has herself been kidnapped briefly by paramilitary groups in Medellin and frequently caused a stir in this most conservative of countries for her work with the black community, women's rights, familial violence and gay rights. Recently she has courted much criticism again by working alongside controversial Hugo Chavez in negotiations with the rebels. Senator Cordoba has been perceived by many conservatives as dangerously leftist, but has regularly spoken out against the hardline style of Colombia’s current president Alvaro Uribe despite death threats.
If the senator does manage to secure the freedom of Miss Betancourt, the most famous victim of kidnap in Colombia, the nation’s institutions and the world will surely recognize her efforts and hope her good work may be repeated again and again. But with the number of hostages currently being held by the FARC estimated to be around 750, many families will remain, for now, waiting.
