hostage release

christobeldawg says on Dec 27, 2007, 22:39:

anybody up to speed on this?

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

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Rob77 says on Dec 27, 2007, 22:55:

The 3 people being released this week are not the 3 US 'contract' workers. They are Colombians.

BOYCOTT CITGO - CHAVEZ SUCKS!!!

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christobeldawg says on Dec 27, 2007, 22:57:

sorry, I heard early news, and see that now. thanks

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

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goin_south says on Dec 28, 2007, 01:32:

I think Chavez will be relentless about keeping his nose involved in the business of Colombia... until likely... they are at war. no? Then, will be the case that the usa is really in Colombia's business. Hopefully, this won't happen, as the other leaders in S.A. will STEP UP with their own political harrassments of Chavez and his lunacy ways.

Where do we go from here?

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Omnispire says on Dec 28, 2007, 04:05:

Here's the news link

http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN28440329

It's not about the destination, its about the journey

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Rikito says on Dec 28, 2007, 05:03:

It is supposed to happen late this afternoon. Three Colombian nationals to be released. Betencourt is not in the mix. Go to Eltiempo.com for more information. Please note that I am emphasizing 'supposed' to be released. With FARC, anything can happen.

It is not life that matters, but the journey.

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thegrower says on Dec 28, 2007, 10:35:

Hugo Chavez runs the militia´s in colombia. they will NEVER release any usa people. in the world.the usa is hated by most leaders , with good cause, and we are NOT to be helped by anyone. Read the article there is a description of those being released and there NOT american.We are to busy killing people in the middle east and africa to worry about 3 people in south america. when those contractors signed up the signed away the right to rescue. its in there contract, life sucks but thats reality!

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Sr Tertius says on Dec 28, 2007, 14:25:

Video of Phase 1:

http://www.eltiempo.com/multimedia/video/actualidad/VIDEO-WEB-PLANTILL...

"When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb)

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goin_south says on Dec 28, 2007, 14:33:

okay, so... en ingles?
what was phase one about? en short.
first impressions, are... Chavez has his chess game goin_on, now.. if I am understanding what's happening... Chavez has 'cards' to play, now... with Colombia/Uribe.

Where do we go from here?

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Sr Tertius says on Dec 28, 2007, 14:36:

Phase 1: Everyone is in Villavo.
Phase 2: Everyone is in Caracas
Phase 3: Chavez flips Uribe, after accomplishing in 3 months what Uribe couldn't in 6 years. (Just kidding, I think that this is actually going to improve the relations between Venezuela and Colombia).

"When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb)

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juancegomez says on Dec 28, 2007, 14:40:

SrTertius: Provided that the two big egos (Chavez's and Uribe's, that is) remain controlled and prudent, of course, I also hope that relations will improve after the operation is successful.

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goin_south says on Dec 28, 2007, 14:49:

you mean, Chavez? and the hostages?... in Villavo(cencio?) and then they all flew to Caracas? So, what's the next projected movement? The released hostages are from where? Colombia? How and when is planned for them to return to Col?

Where do we go from here?

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juancegomez says on Dec 28, 2007, 14:55:

Chavez is not coming to Colombia, btw.

I have no idea about how the actual chronology will turn out, but the hostages are (as far as is publicly known) still not released and the "operation" is barely beginning right now.

The helicopters are currently in Villavicencio and will later to go X, where, with some luck, the hostages will be freed.

As for when they'll return to Colombia, I guess that will be decided after they all land in Caracas, not before.

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Sr Tertius says on Dec 28, 2007, 14:56:

Let me clarify:

Right now:

Phase 1: Everyone BUT the hostages are in Villavo.

Next (of course, if things turn out as planned):

Phase 2: Everyone INCLUDING the hostages in Caracas (or Tachira, not sure).
Phase 3: Piedad and Hugo and Nestor and anybody afflicted with photophilia, plus the hostages and their families, will take pictures, and talk, and everything will be wonderful. I pressume then they'll be sent to Colombia. Closing curtains. The End.

(Hopefully NOT the end. Hopefully this will kickstart a serious discussion about what to do with everyone else that remains in FARC's power. But that's highly speculative).

Juance: You're right. And those are a lot of conditionals. I cross my fingers.

"When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb)

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Dec 28, 2007, 15:07:

What a big production!
Leading roles Hugo, FARC. Piedad, Clara, Emmanuel and Consuelo. A very small secondary role: Alvaro and even smaller el Comisionado (are they letting him on the premises?)

We're all holding our breath.

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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guacharaca says on Dec 28, 2007, 15:15:

The article says Chevez is going in today. Isn't today the equivalent of "April fool's Day" in Colombia? Maybe Chevez is being set up for a fall? Who would want to to that to him? We will know tomorrow if it is real.

Colombianos: Las armas os han dado independencia, las leyes os daran libertad. (Santander)

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Sr Tertius says on Dec 28, 2007, 15:20:

Oh shit! You're right.

Maybe FARC is playing a cruel practical joke on everyone, and Hugo and Piedad are going to look like fools. And Uribe would have the last laugh. Let's hope not!!

The plot thickens as the table turns.

"When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb)

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goin_south says on Dec 28, 2007, 15:33:

come on; an April Fools day in Col? dec 28?
what's the real name of the day? (not to digress from current topic - too much)
Does it appear, that Chavez is coming/has come to Col, without the consent of Uribe?

I'm sorry; I couldn't understand alot of the video

Where do we go from here?

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Dec 28, 2007, 15:42:

Yes, goin_, it's the Day of the Inocentes (I don't recall what it is called in English, in remembrance of the murdered children in Bethelem), it's like April Fools Day, you are allowed to play pranks on your friends.

No; I refuse to believe that this just an "inocentada".

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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Sr Tertius says on Dec 28, 2007, 15:45:

From wikipedia:

R.C. Saints - Feast of the Holy Innocents, also known as Childermas, commemorating the Massacre of the Innocents on order of King Herod the Great. In Spain and Latin American countries the festival is celebrated in a manner similar to April Fool's Day.

Chavez has been very humble, asking for permission and accepting every condition imposed by the Col goverment (all of which, so far, appear quite reasonable). The only issue that has arised is a 72 hr limit to complete the operation, which Chavez has said to not know about, and Restrepo says it's flexible.

What I don't understand is how come Uribe didn't take the initiative in naming the operation. Seems like a trivial thing, but since Chavez got to name it (first it was named "Transparency," then "Emmanuel"), now the whole show appears to be directed by him. It may seem a shallow point, but the currency of everyone involved in this, excluding of course the hostages and their families, is public relations. Uribe got chumped on this one.

"When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb)

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fecherklyn says on Dec 28, 2007, 17:16:

To "the grower",

Your message of 28/12 at 10.35 stated "Hugo Chavez runs the militia´s in colombia. they will NEVER release any usa people."

This would appear to be a new allegation that I have never heard mentioned before on PBH and which I, as a resident in Colombia, am interested, and conerned, about.

That Chevez has"designs" on Colombia has been oft speculated is a topical subject. That he ALREADY HAS AN INFLUENCE OVER THE COLOMBIAN MILITIA goes way beyond such mind games.

Would you care to share with the people who contribute to this forum the source of your understanding?

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goin_south says on Dec 28, 2007, 17:30:

I think it's plausible conjecture, fecherklyn.
What else do we do here on PBsH? (ah-hum!)
But, how could it be substantiated.
Chavez wouldn't want to admit that publicly, now would he?

Tertius, I imagine Chavez keeps Uribe's nerves buzzing, don't you? and, causes him to slip... frequently, lately.

Where do we go from here?

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Sr Tertius says on Dec 28, 2007, 17:35:

Fecherklyn, I hope you don't mind me butting in...

There was a report in Spain's El Pais by John Carlin. Jaramillo pointed at it first:

http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/a-donde-irn-a-parar-los-100000-f...

The problem is that the whole report is based on the testimony of FARC dissidents and unverifiable intelligence reports. And, besides, if it were real, it is still unclear whether Chavez is directly involved in any of it. I wouldn't be surprised in Ven military and politicians colluded with FARC for specific purposes: In happens in Colombia too (check the Farcopolitica debate called by Sen. Petro). Unfortunately, in this topic, the speculation-to-evidence ratio is astronomical.

"When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb)

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lpdiver says on Dec 29, 2007, 03:38:

To any of you that BELIEVE that this is going to happen; I want some of what you have been smoking or drinking...cause it has to be some great chit!!! It ain't gonna happen peeps.

t

"cook some rice!"

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catherine b says on Dec 29, 2007, 10:19:

It is a big production! He's even brought along another American fan Oliver Stone who may film a "documentary".
I wonder if the rest of the world (meaning outside of Latin America) doesn't realize what a media whore Chavez is. I mean do they see that his main concern has never been the hostages but rather the elevation of his own public image as a humanitarian?
I'm happy that 3 (alas...only 3) Colombians are being freed, but has'nt anyone questioned if the Farc are doing this as a personal "desagravio" to Chavez as they claim, why has'nt Chavez as the president of Venezuela demanded that Farc release at least ONE Venezuelan hostage as well? There's about 25 Venezuelan nationals currently being held hostage. I mean if farc admires Chavez as much as they claim to, he could have easily requested one of his own people released as well as a "desagravio" to him?

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bill230 says on Dec 30, 2007, 06:30:

That is very interesting information Catherine. I have not heard before that FARC are holding 25 Venezuelans. It is surprising that this hasn't been mentioned more - are you sure of this?

If it is true, I suppose you have answered your own question.

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catherine b says on Dec 30, 2007, 06:42:

Well, I read 2 different sources yesterday claiming 25, but now I'm reading some other sources who say the number of Venezuelan hostages is about 15.

http://www.eluniversal.com/2007/12/28/pol_ava_piden-liberacion-de_28A1...

http://www.eluniversal.com/2007/12/29/pol_art_aspiran-a-que-venezo_654...

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catherine b says on Dec 30, 2007, 07:00:

Well, supposedly everything was ready yesterday, but farc did'nt provide the coordinates.
This is'nt looking good. Even Chavez is saying that if this continues to drag on for days, they may have to drop the operation for security reasons and think of something else.

http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN30520188

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diabloblas says on Dec 30, 2007, 11:48:

catherine b...isn't every successful politician a media whore?

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catherine b says on Dec 30, 2007, 11:53:

diabloblas...too true.

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athensugadawg says on Dec 30, 2007, 19:04:

It's really quite simple... the release has been delayed to accentuate the dramatic effect for Oliver Stone's documentary....

"I have no illusions about the FARC, but it looks like they are a peasant army fighting for a decent living," Stone said in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press at his hotel bar. "And here, if you fight, you fight to win."

Wow....that is such a profound statement (!)...perhaps FARC can take both Mr. Stone and Sean Penn in a three for two swap. Would anyone complain?

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catherine b says on Dec 31, 2007, 10:32:

Uribe is on his way to Villavicencio. I don't know if that's a good or bad sign.
http://www.caracol.com.co/noticias/526809.asp

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athensugadawg says on Dec 31, 2007, 11:33:

Interesting....in this three way race, who is looking to be the spoiler?

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juancegomez says on Dec 31, 2007, 12:10:

Catherine_b: I guess he wants his share of the spotlight while he assures the international delegates that he's not delaying things but actually cooperating. What may happen next is still up in the air.

http://www.telesurtv.net/secciones/noticias/nota/22588/uribe-se-reune-...

In other news, Colombia is officially giving Chavez's helicopters 72 more hours.

http://www.telesurtv.net/secciones/noticias/nota/22580/colombia-acepta...

FARC is apparently secretly telling Chavez that military operations are delaying this (What, did they expect the Colombian military to stop all operations in all nearby departments? If they were serious, they should at least secretly say what specific areas they want, not try to demand a total stop of all operations...that's practically a de facto "despeje", if that's what they want).

http://www.eltiempo.com/politica/2007-12-31/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR...

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catherine b says on Dec 31, 2007, 12:22:

I know Juance. What's going on is that farc "les tomo el pelo" de nuevo and now Chavez and Kirchner have egg on their face. Now they want to blame Uribe. It's incredible!
Now Farc wants the military to cease fire but it's ok for them to try and shoot down military aircraft. It's just too much. If the world only knew about ALL the crap that farc pulls.

It's absolutely criminal what they've done to families of the hostages. Que burla tan canalla!

Don't you just love how Chavez blames everyone but himself for his own failures? When he lost the reform he even wanted to blame his own cabinet...LOL.


http://www.unionradio.net/Noticias/Noticia.aspx?noticiaid=227153

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hongo_joe says on Dec 31, 2007, 12:48:

"It's incredible"

I think in deals like this you have to ask who benefits if this or that happens and whoever benefits should be the prime suspect for causing it.

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