President Chávez meets with Ingrid Betancourt

[Judi Lynn]

CARACAS, Monday December 08, 2008 | Update 2'
President Chávez meets with Ingrid Betancourt

Venezuela's President Hugo Chávez welcomed on Monday at Miraflores presidential palace former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, who was held hostage by the rebel Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC) for more than six years.

Foreign Minister Nicolás Maduro received and had a brief talk with Betancourt while she waited for President Chávez, reported state-run news agency ABN.

This is Betancourt's first visit to Venezuela after being rescued by the Colombian army on July 2nd, 2008 during the "Operation Check."

Ending 2007, the Venezuelan president strived to get the release of Betancourt and other hostages of the FARC. That time, the Venezuelan government succeeded in the release of seven people, including Betancourt's running mate Clara Rojas.

http://english.eluniversal.com/2008/12/08/en_pol_esp_president-chavez-mee_08A2160391.shtml
Opposition newspaper

[Judi Lynn]

1. Betancourt meets with Venezuela's Chavez

Dec 8, 5:59 PM EST
Betancourt meets with Venezuela's Chavez

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- Former Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt has met with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez as part of her efforts to gain support from Latin American leaders for the release of Colombia's rebel-held hostages.

State television footage shows Betancourt and Chavez chatting at the presidential palace during the during the sixth leg of a regional tour to seek support for efforts to free hostages held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

The former hostage also visited Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru.

Betancourt was rescued last July after being held captive for six years.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/L/LT_VENEZUELA_BETANCOURT?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2008-12-08-17-59-50

[judasdisney]

2. Betancourt may be a godsend

She's the only voice out there to counter Uribe's fascist pronouncements since July, and her meeting with Chavez is the first Western adult leadership I've seen.

[Judi Lynn]

3. Colombia's Betancourt thanks Chavez

Colombia's Betancourt thanks Chavez
Published: Dec. 10, 2008 at 12:28

CARACAS, Venezuela, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Ex-hostage Ingrid Betancourt has thanked Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez for his efforts to free those held by Colombian rebels, El Universal reported Tuesday.

Betancourt, who was held for several years by the Colombian rebel group known as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, said Chavez played an integral role in helping free hostages, El Universal said.

In 2007, Chavez acted as a mediator between FARC and the Colombian government in talks to release hostages.

However, Colombia then dropped Chavez as a negotiator. saying his role went against international protocol.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/12/10/Colombias_Betancourt_thanks_Chavez/UPI-63491228886903/