CARACAS - President Hugo Chavez Thursday called on Colombia's top rebel chief to provide proof that his hostages are alive, despite Bogota's decision earlier to end Chavez's role in mediating the release of the captives.
"Since the process is under way and some things cannot be stopped ... I hope the FARC will send me the proof that they are alive," he said in a speech, referring to an earlier demand he made to Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) chief Manuel Marulanda.
"I'm still waiting. Send it along, Marulanda," Chavez told a political rally.
Chavez also spoke of Colombian President Alvaro Uribe's demand, prior to his being fired as mediator, that Marulanda release a number of his hostages as a condition to holding talks.
"Should you decide to release that group (of hostages) in spite of what has happened, I will receive them here," Chavez said, addressing the FARC chief in his speech Thursday.
"We have more than 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles) of Colombia-Venezuela border, and we would receive them with pleasure."
"I respect Uribe's decision and I feel very sorry for Colombia," Chavez said of the Colombian leader's decision to end his mediating efforts.
Uribe in August had authorized Chavez to mediate an offer by the guerillas to exchange 45 high-profile hostages for 500 FARC members held in Colombian jails.
FARC's most prominent hostages include three US contractors seized in 2003 during an anti-drug mission, and French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt, who was seized in 2002 when she was running for Colombia's presidency.
The other hostages include dozens of Colombian politicians and military and police officers.
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11/23/2007 01:51 GMT