Colombians pressure rebels to end kidnappings
Posted
The front banner reads 'Don't beg for freedom, no more FARC'. (Reuters: Jaime Saldarriaga)
Hundreds of thousands of shouting, weeping and flag-waving Colombians have called for an end to the kidnappings that have plagued the country during its 44-year-old guerrilla war.
Declaring that this year's Independence Day should be renamed "Freedom Day" for the 2,800 captives held in secret jungle camps, Colombians rallied throughout the country on Sunday and voiced growing hope for an end to the conflict.
They called on the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and other illegal groups to stop taking hostages and enter peace talks.
The march further pressured the rebels, who have suffered recent severe setbacks as a result of President Alvaro Uribe's US-backed military offensive.
It was the first such protest since two top rebel leaders were killed in March, one in a bombing raid and the other betrayed and dismembered by his own bodyguard in return for a government reward. The state had never before hit the FARC's governing secretariat.
"For the first time in my lifetime we are really starting to believe that peace is possible," said Adriana Correa, 30, a Bogota city employee.
Mr Uribe is seen as a hero by many Colombians for going on the attack against leftist guerrillas fighting since the 1960s. His popularity topped 90 per cent after the dramatic rescue of 15 high-profile hostages on July 2.
Left-leaning opposition leaders marched alongside Uribe supporters, some of whom shouted, "No more FARC. Free hostages now."
Related demonstrations were held in cities around the world including Paris, where recently released captive Ingrid Betancourt addressed an emotional crowd ahead of a concert by Colombian pop star Juanes.
Ms Betancourt, a French-Colombian politician released in the July 2 operation after more than six years of captivity, called on the rebels to lay down their arms and negotiate with Mr Uribe, whose father was killed in a botched FARC kidnapping in 1983.
Over the last 12 years, 23,854 people have been taken hostage in Colombia, 2,800 of whom remain in captivity.
'Don't lose hope'
"We are going to shout out to the jungles," said Colombian singer Carlos Vives ahead of a concert held in the steamy Amazon town of Leticia.
He hoped his music would reach some of the estimated 700 hostages held by the FARC for ransom and political leverage. The other captives are held by a variety of criminal groups.
Local television interviewed a boy marching with his mother in Bogota. He carried a framed picture of his kidnapped father. Looking into the camera he said, "Don't lose hope, dad."
Colombian music star Shakira opened events by singing the national anthem with Mr Uribe and visiting dignitaries including Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Peruvian leader Alan Garcia by her side.
Betancourt, three American defence contractors and 11 other hostages held by the FARC were rescued when the rebels were duped into turning their most-prized captives over to soldiers disguised as aid workers.
Family members of remaining hostages worry that international pressure might die down now that Betancourt and the Americans are free.
- Reuters
