1/9/2006 : Colombia says FARC playing politics with hostages

The Colombian government on Sunday accused left-wing rebels of playing politics with the fate of 63 hostages, including a former presidential candidate and three Americans held by the guerrillas in secret jungle camps.

1/5/2006 : Uribe ratifies the order to free hostages through a military offensive

The commander of the Colombian army, General Carlos Ospina announced toady that the order to free through military means hostages held by FARC was ratified by President Uribe.

1/4/2006 : FARC; no hostage exchange with President Uribe.

"Latin Reporters", a group of journalists that analyses on a regular basis Latin- American and Spanish events, publish today their analysis of the Colombian situation. Generally well informed about the situation in this country, they put forward some interesting theories: to be viewed with the necessary hindsight; this group made some very surprising statements, one for example an allegation that "a noisy minority among the many supporters of Ingrid Betancourt approve of the Marxist rebels who kidnapped her"…. which either shows a very fertile imagination or a very gullible interpretation of some influential sections of the media in Colombia".

1/3/2006 : French FM to try to secure hostage release

France's Foreign Minister is headed to Colombia to try to secure the release of a French-Colombian politician captured nearly three years ago by guerrillas.