Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets on Sunday in Bogota and other world capitals seeking the release of captives still held by leftist rebels in the Colombian jungle.
Crowds gathered in 1,000 towns and cities all across Colombia on the country’s national day, demanding the liberation of hundreds of hostages still held by Marxist rebels following last month’s dramatic rescue of French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt and 14 others.
In Paris, Betancourt led chants of “No more hostages!” as she addressed a crowd of several thousand people who came to watch artists perform in a square across the river Seine from the Eiffel Tower.
Colombian star Juanes, Spain’s Miguel Bose and French artists Renan Luce and Michel Delpech were among the singers playing at the concert.
At Betancourt’s side was the socialist Bertrand Delanoe, who told the crowd: “Our duty is to continue fighting for the liberation of all hostages in Colombia.”
Madrid and other European cities saw smaller rallies in support of the hostages, but the main events were to be held in Latin America, with the highlight expected to be a concert in Colombia by pop star Shakira.
In Honduras, hundreds of Colombians marched down central Tegucigalpa carrying “No More Kidnappings” banners, while Internet search engine Google, which opened a new office in Bogota recently, put a white peace dove and a Colombian flag on its logo.
In Washington, thousands of people gathered outside the White House asking for the hostages’ release and US Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez called on Congress to pass a pending free trade agreement with Colombia, in view of its national day.
Organizers said pro-hostage rallies were held in cities across the world: 30 in Latin America, 22 in Europe, six in Asia, 27 in the US, four in Canada and two in Australia.
Betancourt was rescued on July 2 by Colombian armed forces who said they had tricked her captors into handing her over along with three Americans and 11 other Colombian hostages.
Betancourt, 46, was abducted in 2002 by rebels from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) while campaigning for the Colombian presidency.
After being reunited with her children, who live in Paris, she returned to France where her ordeal in the Colombian jungle had turned her into a cause celebre.
The rebel group continues to hold about 700 hostages. Up to 2,000 more are believed to be held by the National Liberation Army, another rebel group. Sunday’s rallies were calling for their immediate release.
The marches coincide with independence day celebrations in the southern town of Leticia, attended by Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and his guests, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva and Peruvian President Alan Garcia.
Shakira, Colombia’s famous pop icon, sang the national anthem before she was to launch into a concert in support of hostage liberation.
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