Minister of the Venezuelan Presidency Jesse Chacón Wednesday informed that rebel Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC) already delivered four hostages to a humanitarian delegation headed by the International Committee of the Red Cross and Venezuelan Interior Minister Ramón Rodríguez Chacín.

"The delegation has completed the first stage. They landed at the place previously set and the FARC delivered the persons to them. Minister Rodríguez Chacín talked to President Hugo Chávez, who had a chance to talk directly to some of the people released," Chacón explained.

According to Chacón, the two helicopters are in their way to Santo Domingo air base, Táchira state, southwest Venezuela. From there, the delegation and the former hostages will get on board a number of airplanes bound for Maiquetía, coastal Vargas state, near Caracas.

"Let us hope this is a happy day for their relatives. We know it will be. We want you to know that your relatives are in our hands, sound and safe. Let us hope that this step allows us to continue to move on with new liberations and to achieve peace in Colombia."

The rebel group freed former lawmakers Gloria Polanco and Luis Eladio Pérez, and former senators Orlando Beltrán and Jorge Eduardo Géchem, who were kidnapped in 2001-2002.