President Chávez meets with Ingrid Betancourt

[Judi Lynn]

CARACAS, Monday December 08, 2008 | Update 2'
President Chávez meets with Ingrid Betancourt

Venezuela's President Hugo Chávez welcomed on Monday at Miraflores presidential palace former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, who was held hostage by the rebel Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC) for more than six years.

Foreign Minister Nicolás Maduro received and had a brief talk with Betancourt while she waited for President Chávez, reported state-run news agency ABN.

This is Betancourt's first visit to Venezuela after being rescued by the Colombian army on July 2nd, 2008 during the "Operation Check."

Ending 2007, the Venezuelan president strived to get the release of Betancourt and other hostages of the FARC. That time, the Venezuelan government succeeded in the release of seven people, including Betancourt's running mate Clara Rojas.

http://english.eluniversal.com/2008/12/08/en_pol_esp_president-chavez-mee_08A2160391.shtml
Opposition newspaper