'I was stunned,' Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez admitted, when he became aware of the rescue of the former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and other 14 hostages held by the guerrilla movement Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC). 'I am sending you a kiss, Ingrid Betancourt. We took a risk for you,' Chavez said. The Venezuelan ruler conceded that although he was a soldier, he was aware that 'the time of weapons has passed. The time of the guerrilla fronts is over. The time of the peoples has come.'
| 'I am sending you a kiss, Ingrid Betancourt. We took a risk for you,' Chavez said. |
The Venezuelan ruler confirmed that he had a phone conversation with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe. 'He will be welcomed as usual, as a brother, as a friend. We exchanged some harsh words. But it is a common thing between brothers, between couples.' Chavez said referring to Uribe's impending visit to Venezuela.
Chavez reminded that he recently made a call to FARC leaders 'to release all the hostages.' He also said that he did not 'support this kind of actions (kidnapping). I also said that they (the FARC) should make more efforts leading to peace.'