Chaves says Colombian rebels to free two hostages

(Full Article-Reuters)

CARACAS (Reuters) - Colombian Marxist rebels are set to free two women hostages to Venezuela after a previous mission to pick them up collapsed on New Years Eve, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez said on Wednesday.

The leftist president said he could send helicopters within hours to collect the hostages held for years in jungle camps after guerrilla leaders told him where to find them.

Despite strained relations with Chavez over his mediation to free hostages, Colombia's government agreed to support the new mission, and the International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed it would take part.