11 Jan 2008

Freed FARC hostages land in Venezuela

Two women hostages freed by Colombian Farc rebels have arrived on a private jet at an airport near Caracas and have been reunited with their families.

Clara Rojas and Consuelo Gonzalez had been held for several years. Both women have thanked Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez for helping mediate their release.

Clara Rojas on Venezuelan television, Telesur

Earlier they were flown out of the Colombian jungle by helicopter, in an operation overseen by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

In a brief statement Ms Gonzalez thanked Mr Chavez by satellite phone for his role in her release and praised his "commitment to human beings

BBC NEWS | Americas | Freed hostages land in Venezuela