Thousands rally across world for release of Colombian hostages
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The front banner reads 'Don't beg for freedom, no more FARC'. (Reuters: Jaime Saldarriaga)
Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets of Bogota in Colombia and other world capitals, seeking the release of captives still held by leftist rebels in the Colombian jungle.
Crowds gathered in 1,000 towns and cities all across Colombia on the country's national day, demanding the liberation of hundreds of hostages still held by Marxist rebels following last month's dramatic rescue of French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt and 14 others.
In Paris, Ms Betancourt, who was kidnapped in 2002 by Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), led chants of "no more hostages!" as she addressed a crowd of several thousand people who came to watch artists perform in a square across the River Seine from the Eiffel Tower.
Madrid and other European cities held smaller rallies in support of the hostages, but the main events were to be held in Latin America, with the highlight expected to be a concert in Colombia by pop star Shakira.
In Honduras, hundreds of Colombians marched down central Tegucigalpa carrying banners, while internet search engine Google, which opened a new office in Bogota recently, put a white peace dove and a Colombian flag on its logo.
In Washington thousands of people gathered outside the White House asking for the hostages' release and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez called on the United States Congress to pass a pending free trade agreement with Colombia, in view of its national day.
Ms Betancourt was rescued on July 2 by Colombian armed forces who said they had tricked her captors into handing her over along with three Americans and 11 other Colombian hostages.
Ms Betancourt, 46, was abducted in 2002 by FARC rebels while campaigning for the Colombian presidency.
After being reunited with her children, who live in Paris, she returned to France where her ordeal in the Colombian jungle had turned her into a cause celebre.
FARC continues to hold an estimated 700 hostages. Up to 2,000 more are believed to be held by the National Liberation Army, another leftist rebel group.
- AFP
