Colombian rebels have decided to release three hostages - former Colombian congresswoman Consuelo Gonzalez, former aide Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, Clara Rojas, and Rojas’ son Emmanuel, who was fathered by a guerrilla fighter:

Colombia agreed Wednesday to allow Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to send his planes and helicopters into its territory to pick up three hostages who have been held for years by leftist rebels.

Chavez said he hoped the hostages — including a mother and her young son — could be on Venezuelan soil by sundown Thursday.

Colombian rebels’ interests include kidnap, torture, murder, Chavez, kittens and long walks on the beach at sunset:

Colombia’s largest rebel group announced last week that it would unilaterally hand over the three hostages to Chavez, demonstrating the guerrillas’ affinity for the socialist leader. It also sidelined U.S.-allied Colombian President Alvaro Uribe by preventing him from assuming a leading role in the release.

Chavez had been trying to negotiate the release of 47 high-profile captives until Uribe abruptly called him off last month, saying Chavez overstepped his mandate by directly contacting the head of Colombia’s army.

There’s no me in team, you guys! Oh.

Hostages freed in Colombia [NY Daily News]
Earlier: Ingrid Betancourt’s Campaign Manager To Be Released, Handed Over To Chavez. Girlfriend Just Can’t Win.