Let's pray for these people to be set free soon, so they and their families can have peace.


COLOMBIA
Rallies to demand release of hostages
Rallies are being planned in Colombia, Paris, Coral Gables and other cities around the world to demand that the FARC release its remaining hostages.
Posted on Sat, Jul. 19, 2008reprint print email
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By SYBYLLA BRODZINSKY
Special to The Miami Herald

BARON MEDIA RELATIONS/EL NUEVO HERALD
Colombian singer Shakira, left, listens to former hostage and Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt during a meeting on Wednesday in Paris.

BOGOTA -- Tens of thousands are expected to join marches across this nation Sunday, which will be joined by simultaneous gatherings in South Florida, Paris and other cities around the world, to demand the release of hundreds of hostages still held by leftist rebels in the jungles and mountains of Colombia.

The global call comes after 15 longtime hostages, including three American defense contractors and former Colombian presidential contender Ingrid Betancourt, were rescued in a bold operation early this month.

The marches, which coincide with Colombian Independence Day, have been called by a wide range of civic organizations that span the political spectrum, as well as government authorities.

A simultaneous demonstration and concert are planned in Paris, where Betancourt is recovering from her ordeal. Colombian politician Luis Eladio Perez, also a former hostage who was released in February, will lead the South Florida march. Similar events are planned for New York, Hong Kong, Madrid and other cities worldwide.

''In part, this is a chance for Colombians to celebrate the rescue of the 15 and to demand the release of all of the remaining hostages being held,'' said Ana Teresa Bernal, head of Redepaz, one of the groups organizing the march.

South Florida Colombians will gather in front of the country's Coral Gables consulate, 280 Aragon Ave,, beginning at 11 a.m. .

''We are doing this so that Colombians can show that all over the world they are protesting peacefully, demanding that the rebels put down their firearms and free the hostages and return to a democratic struggle,'' said Consul General Luis Ignacio Guzmán.

The idea for the demonstrations emerged after the July 2 military intelligence operation rescued the 15 high-profile hostages who had been held by the Revolutionary Armed Forced of Colombia, FARC, for as long as a decade. In addition to Betancourt and the three Americans, 11 members of Colombia's security forces also were rescued as part of the operation. Most of the recently released hostages are expected to participate in Sunday's event.

It is the second time in five months for such a global gathering.

Hundreds of thousands of Colombians turned out Feb 4. for a march organized through the Facebook Internet social networking site under the slogan ''No More FARC.'' Some organizations rejected the negative nature of the message and argued that the march should be pro-peace and the event became politically polarized. A month later, human rights organization organized a march protesting the crimes of right-wing paramilitary groups.

Sunday's march, under the slogan ''Free them now,'' is being supported by right and left and by workers unions and business federations alike, Bernal said.

''This march should be a coming together, a show of diversity and of tolerance,'' she said.

Officials believe the FARC continues to hold as many as 750 hostages. Most are being held for ransom, but 27 are considered by the rebels to be ''swappable'' hostages to be used as bargaining chips to try to win concessions from the government.

Miami Herald staff writer Casey Woods contributed to this report.