Former Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt has met with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to discuss Venezuelan support for freeing other hostages held by rebels in Colombia.
Betancourt met with Mr. Chavez Monday at the presidential palace in Caracas.
The French-Colombian politician has been on a tour of South American countries to solicit regional support for persuading rebels with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, to release their captives. The rebels are holding some 700 hostages for ransom or political leverage.
Betancourt's tour, which began last month, included her native country as well as Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Bolivia, and now Venezuela.
Betancourt was a presidential candidate in Colombia when she was captured by FARC rebels in 2002. She was held for more than six years before being rescued by the Colombian military in July.
Some information for this report was provided by AP.
