EL UNIVERSAL

Villavicencio.- Colombia's High Commissioner for Peace, Luis Carlos Restrepo, informed that his government authorized since Saturday night the arrival of a new Falcon 50 plane in Colombia, which would transport former Venezuelan Interior Minister Ramón Rodríguez Chacín, who is leading the mission to release the hostages.

"So far, we have not been advised about the hour of departure of the aircraft from Venezuela. But Colombia has granted an ample guarantee, as requested by the Venezuelan government," the senior official said.

Also, he said the military high command and police officers have met in order to provide security measures for the rescue operation.

Colombian officials had told Venezuela that they had until 7 pm Sunday to pick up the hostages. However, Restrepo said that the deadline set to pick up the hostages held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia was based on Venezuela's request, and added that the deadline was flexible.

 "If necessary, Colombia is ready to extend the deadline for Venezuelan planes to enter Colombian territory, there is no problem with that," Restrepo added.

Read the special feature about the humanitarian swap in Colombia at:

http://www.eluniversal.com/CHCol_indexEng.shtml