This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8243203.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Video shown of Colombian captives Colombia hostage videos broadcast
(about 1 hour later)
Colombian television has broadcast video footage of 10 soldiers and policemen held captive by Farc rebels for up to 11 years. Colombian television has broadcast footage of 10 soldiers and policemen held captive by left-wing Farc rebels for at least 10 years.
In the video, which was produced by the left-wing guerrillas, the men are seen bound around the neck by chains. In the videos, the men are seen bound around the neck by chains as they speak directly to their families and make an appeal for their release.
The video is the second of its kind to be released in a week by the rebels. The videos are the third set to emerge in recent weeks.
They have been trying to negotiate a swap for Farc rebels in jail, something President Alvaro Uribe has refused to agree to. The Farc want to swap hostages in turn for imprisoned rebels, a move President Alvaro Uribe has rejected.
The hostages shown in the videos look tired and haggard. The videos, each lasting about 90 seconds, show the four soldiers and six police officers sitting in front of a cloth designed to disguise their location, with a chain padlocked around their necks.
They have been kept continually on the move through Colombia's southern jungles, chained to trees at night to prevent them escaping. The hostages, kidnapped in 1998 and 1999, look tired and haggard.
"Thank you to all Colombians for your support - all those working to secure our release as soon as possible," says Sgt Robinson Salcedo Guarin.
"I'm in good health," says police officer Jorge Trujillo, who also urges his mother not to cry when she sends messages to him via Colombian radio stations.
Mr Trujillo rocks back and forth and he appears disoriented in the footage.
"Our situation is difficult and we need to get out as quickly as possible," says Police Sgt Jose Libardo Forero.
A government statement deplored the "lamentable conditions" in which the men were being held and called for their "total and unconditional release".A government statement deplored the "lamentable conditions" in which the men were being held and called for their "total and unconditional release".
Families want talks Families
While the military high command insists that the videos constitute "proof of cruel and degrading treatment" of the prisoners by their Farc captors, the families of the hostages believe that it is the president who is being cruel, by refusing to negotiate the release of their loved ones with the rebels, The BBC's correspondent in Colombia says. Unlike the two previous videos, which were released via a Colombian politician involved in efforts to secure the hostages' freedom, the latest footage was seized from a Farc operative at a military checkpoint, Air Force commander Gen Freddy Padilla said.
The rebels have agreed to unilaterally free many of the hostages, as they have done with six in the past, but the government has insisted it wants them all freed at once, and has refused to discuss terms. The military high command said the videos constituted "proof of cruel and degrading treatment" of the prisoners by the Farc.
While the release of proof of life videos and statements by the Farc high command are designed to put pressure on Mr Uribe to negotiate, the hard-line Colombian president enjoys approval ratings of over 50%. The guerrillas have agreed to free many of the hostages unilaterally, as they have done with six in the past, but the government has insisted it wants them all freed at once.
He may seek a third consecutive term, if the constitution is changed to allow presidential re-election. Some families of the hostages are pressing for the authorities to reverse their decision not to negotiate with the rebels.
That could mean another five years in captivity for the hostages. our correspondent says. While the release of proof-of-life videos and statements by the Farc is designed to put pressure on Mr Uribe to negotiate, the Colombian president, who has pursued a hard line with the rebels, enjoys approval ratings of over 50%.
He may seek a third consecutive term, if moves to change the constitution to allow presidential re-election are approved by the courts and backed in a referendum.