Police discover plans to kidnap sons of Colombian President Uribe

Dec 13, 2007, 20:56 GMT

Bogota - Colombian police discovered a plan by leftist rebels to kidnap the two sons of Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, with a view to putting pressure on him for an exchange of hostages for imprisoned rebels, several media reported Thursday in Bogota.

Radio reports said the plan was found out last weekend, following the arrest of 10 alleged members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

The alleged rebels captured in southern Colombia were said to have been on a mission to kidnap the students and businessmen Jeronimo and Tomas Uribe, following orders from the leadership of the rebel organization. The reports said the children of the head of state were to be taken to the provinces of Caqueta or Huila.

President Uribe terminated last month the mediation role of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who was working toward a so-called humanitarian exchange of some 50 hostages in the hands of FARC for at least 500 rebels held in prison.

Uribe quashed Chavez's role after the Venezuelan leader spoke directly to a Colombian general after Uribe had forbidden it, and accused the Venezuelan president of not being discrete, although the relatives of the victims have repeatedly demanded that Chavez persist in his efforts.

The most high-profile hostage held by FARC, former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, holds dual French and Colombian citizenship, and French President Nicolas Sarkozy has made her release one of his foreign policy priorities.

Two weeks ago, proof of life for 16 hostages, including Betancourt and three US contractors also held by FARC, was found in the hands of arrested rebels.

Uribe on Friday offered to talk directly with leftist rebels to secure an exchange of hostages for imprisoned guerrilla fighters, saying he would create a 'meeting zone' for the talks. FARC, however, has insisted on its demand that a 'demilitarized' zone be created for this purpose.