Bogota - Colombian police discovered a plan by leftist
rebels to kidnap the two sons of Colombian President Alvaro Uribe,
with a view to putting pressure on him for an exchange of hostages
for imprisoned rebels, several media reported Thursday in Bogota.
Radio reports said the plan was found out last weekend, following
the arrest of 10 alleged members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of
Colombia (FARC).
The alleged rebels captured in southern Colombia were said to have
been on a mission to kidnap the students and businessmen Jeronimo and
Tomas Uribe, following orders from the leadership of the rebel
organization. The reports said the children of the head of state were
to be taken to the provinces of Caqueta or Huila.
President Uribe terminated last month the mediation role of
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who was working toward a so-called
humanitarian exchange of some 50 hostages in the hands of FARC for at
least 500 rebels held in prison.
Uribe quashed Chavez's role after the Venezuelan leader spoke
directly to a Colombian general after Uribe had forbidden it, and
accused the Venezuelan president of not being discrete, although the
relatives of the victims have repeatedly demanded that Chavez persist
in his efforts.
The most high-profile hostage held by FARC, former presidential
candidate Ingrid Betancourt, holds dual French and Colombian
citizenship, and French President Nicolas Sarkozy has made her
release one of his foreign policy priorities.
Two weeks ago, proof of life for 16 hostages, including Betancourt
and three US contractors also held by FARC, was found in the hands of
arrested rebels.
Uribe on Friday offered to talk directly with leftist rebels to
secure an exchange of hostages for imprisoned guerrilla fighters,
saying he would create a 'meeting zone' for the talks. FARC, however,
has insisted on its demand that a 'demilitarized' zone be created for
this purpose.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur 
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