Relatives of Ingrid Betancourt, kidnapped since February 2002 by FARC have expressed their concern about statements by President Uribe ratifying orders to government forces to undertake a rescue of kidnap victims by military means.

The President made these statements in the town of Cali and raised the alarm of Ingrid Betancourt's family and of members of the Green Oxygen Party.

Yolanda Pulecio, mother of the former Presidential candidate stated:" This order made by the President has astonished me very much " and considering the type of military action she thinks "there is no army in the world that could guarantee the life of hostages in such an operation".

"This will lead to the death of the hostages", she declared and she has asked the President "not to gamble with the lives of the hostages and not to endanger them any more by military action". Ms Pulecio also reminded the Colombian President that on several occasions he promised the relatives of the hostages, as well as President Chirac of France, that under no circumstances would he (Uribe) attempt a rescue operation by violent methods.

In view of the statements of the President of Colombia, the family and the members of the Green Oxygen Party have restated their opposition against a military rescue and continue to demand a humanitarian agreement that will guarantee the safe return of all those kidnapped in Colombia.

There are currently in Colombia, 3000 hostages among them Ingrid Betancourt and Clara Rojas.