CARACAS, Venezuela, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced he plans to discuss a hostage release deal with Colombian rebels.
Chavez said he decided to meet with members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia -- or Farc -- after discussing the matter with Colombian leader Alvaro Uribe, the BBC reported Saturday.
The Venezuelan leader said he will seek a deal to secure the release of hostages held by Farc in exchange for rebels in Colombian custody.
"President Uribe has welcomed the idea that I receive Farc representatives in Venezuela," Chavez said.
The BBC said a success for Chavez would mark a major reversal for members of Farc, who have vowed for a decade not to release any hostages unless hundreds of rebels are released from prisons.
"I ask God that I can contribute to this matter of a humanitarian swap, to the matter of the search for peace, which is peace for all of us -- peace for Venezuela, peace for Colombia, union and integration," Chavez said.
