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Captives Near Release

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The Associated Press

Published: December 27, 2007

CARACAS, Venezuela - Colombia agreed Wednesday to allow Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to send his planes and helicopters into its territory to pick up three hostages who have been held for years by leftist rebels.

Chavez said he hoped the hostages - including a mother and her young son - could be on Venezuelan soil by today.

Colombia's largest rebel group announced last week that it unilaterally would hand over the three hostages to Chavez, demonstrating the guerrillas' affinity for the socialist leader. The move also sidelined U.S.-allied Colombian President Alvaro Uribe by preventing him from assuming a leading role in the release.

Chavez had been trying to negotiate the release of 47 high-profile captives until Uribe abruptly called him off last month, saying Chavez overstepped his mandate by directly contacting the head of Colombia's army.

The Venezuelan leader since has frozen relations with Uribe, whose decision provoked an outcry among relatives of the hostages.

On Wednesday, Colombia said it had authorized the Venezuelan mission, and Foreign Minister Fernando Araujo, after conferring with Uribe, thanked Chavez in particular for his efforts.

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