Freedom at last for FARC hostages in Colombia

Two women, held hostage by Marxist guerrillas in Colombia, have been freed by their captors. Clara Rojas may now be re-united with her young son Emmanuel, who was born in captivity. He is believed to be in care in Bogota, after the rebels handed him over to a farmer.

Rojas was released with Consuelo Gonzalez in a Venezuelan-led operation. The mission was driven by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who had sent helicopters to the Colombian jungle to meet the hostages.

The President said his lieutenants on the mission confirmed the two women were safe, and in good condition despite their ordeal. He said they were on board the helicopters, and were being flown back to safety.

Rojas and Gonzalez were supposed to have been released last month, but the deal collapsed when it became clear the FARC rebels no longer had Emmanuel.

The FARC hold hundreds of hostages, including Colombian Presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt. Some are held for ransom, others, including Betancourt, are seen as political currency.

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