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| Colombian rebels 'free hostages' | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Two women hostages have been freed by Colombian rebels, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has said. | Two women hostages have been freed by Colombian rebels, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has said. |
| Mr Chavez, who was involved in efforts to mediate their release, made the announcement after speaking to them, Reuters news agency reported. | Mr Chavez, who was involved in efforts to mediate their release, made the announcement after speaking to them, Reuters news agency reported. |
| Clara Rojas and Consuelo Gonzalez had been held for several years. | Clara Rojas and Consuelo Gonzalez had been held for several years. |
| A similar attempt to rescue them was called off last month amid recriminations between the rebels and the Colombian government. | A similar attempt to rescue them was called off last month amid recriminations between the rebels and the Colombian government. |
| The women were picked up by two Venezuelan helicopters in an operation overseen by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which also confirmed their release. | |
| Mr Chavez, in Caracas, said he had spoken to the women and they would arrive in Venezuela in about three hours. |