Richardson seeks Chavez’s help
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson sought the help of President Hugo Chavez in securing the release of three Americans who have been held hostage by Colombian rebels for more than five years.
Chavez said he hoped to help but wasn’t sure what he could do.
Richardson told reporters that he would discuss ways to advance a proposed swap of hostages for imprisoned guerrillas.
The Spanish-speaking former U.S. presidential candidate said he was visiting Venezuela at the request of the hostages’ families.
U.S. defense contractors Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes and Keith Stansell have been held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia since their plane went down in rebel-held jungles in 2003.
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