A Breakthrough, At Last

Following the last-gasp success of President Hugo Chávez to secure the release of three hostages from the FARC, the Colombian government has done a U-turn on a supposed ban on foreign participation in negotiations with paramilitary groups. Foreign Minister Fernando Araújo Perdomo had stated that any future handover would involve the International Committee of the Red Cross as a mediator, not other countries. However, the release of two hostages in January could force the Uribe administration to adopt a more conciliatory stance towards the FARC.

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