Ricardo Palmera, aka Simon Trinidad, a key FARC leader currently held prisoner and wanted by the US for drug trafficking and hostage taking, has offered himself as a negotiator to facilitate an exchange between prisoners and rebels.

Palmera, whose extradition to the US has been authorised by the Colombian Supreme Court, has agreed to a request from the families of hostages to be involved in any negotiations and providing such a role is approved by FARC.

Last week the Colombian government pardoned and released 23 FARC members held in jail.

Palmera is on a list of prisoners that FARC want to exchange for hostages among them, the French- Colombian politician, Ingrid Betancourt and 3 Americans.