Chavez organises hostages' rescue mission

Colombian rebels today provided a pick-up location for two hostages they have held for years, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said, and the Colombian government gave him the green light to launch a rescue mission.

Chavez said the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, sent him the co-ordinates to pick up Clara Rojas – an aide to former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt – and former congresswoman Consuelo Gonzalez.