Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez Thursday reported that the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC) released former vice-presidential candidate Clara Rojas and former lawmaker Consuelo González.

The Venezuelan ruler said he spoke on the phone with both Colombian politicians and claimed they are in good conditions.

"I would like to tell Venezuela and the world that I just spoke on the phone directly with Clara and Consuelo," said the Venezuelan ruler, adding that the two women were very excited.

According to Chávez, the Venezuelan helicopters are expected to land in Venezuela around 3 PM (local time).

He added that the humanitarian rescue operation Emmanuel started on Wednesday, when the FARC provided the coordinates of the place where the hostages would be freed.

"The International Red Cross began operations on Wednesday. Early today (Thursday) the first advance parties departed for the Colombia-Venezuela border, and our choppers took off at dawn," he explained.