Colombia: Mission to grab hostages delayed

BOGOTA, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- An effort to recover three hostages taken by Colombian leftist rebels was delayed for a second day Saturday, El Tiempo reported online.

Venezuelan helicopters were set to pick up the detainees of the Revolutionary Armed Forces for Colombia, or FARC, though the rebels reportedly did not tell Venezuelan officials where they could pick up the hostages.

Venezuela has played an integral role in trying to recover the three hostages -- including Clara Rojas, a one-time aide to fellow detainee, Ingrid Betancourt, who was running for Colombia's presidency at the time of her capture in 2002.

FARC rebels have been battling the Colombian government for more than 40 years.