Latin America hails Colombian rescue of FARC hostages

MEXICO CITY, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Latin American countries congratulated Colombia on Wednesday for its military rescue of 15 hostages held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC),reports reaching here said.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said the international community has waited for the release for so long and he was "excited" to hear of the release of Ingrid Betancourt and the 14 other hostages.

"I hope this is an important step toward the release of all the other hostages, the reconciliation of all Colombians and peace in Colombia," said Lula.

Aside from former Colombian presidential candidate Betancourt, three U.S. citizens and 11 members of the Colombian armed forces were also among those released, according to official sources.

Argentine President Cristina Fernandez said Wednesday was a dayof "joy and happiness" and the rescue was a victory for life and liberty.

"I was informed that Colombia has achieved the liberation of Ingrid Betancourt and you know my commitment to that cause," she said

President Michelle Bachelet of Chile telephoned Colombian President Alvaro Uribe to congratulate him.

"I'd like to give a hug to Betancourt's sons, to her mother Yolanda Pulecio, with whom I talked several times, and to the rest of her family and to the relatives of the other released hostages," Bachelet said.

The hostage rescue is "a triumph for humanity" and kidnapping "does not have justification of any kind," said Chile's governmentspokespers on Francisco Vidal.

In a statement, the Ecuadorian government said: "Ecuador renews its position of demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all the hostages, for humanitarian reasons and for the strict adherence to and respect for the norms and principles of human rights and basic liberties."

"I'm excited about this (the hostage release). It gives me great relief. It's something the world has waited for, it's a pityit wasn't done under the framework of a peace process, but in a (military) rescue," said Ecuadorian Defense Minister Javier Ponce.

Peru's Foreign Minister Jose Garcia Belaunde said: "We are veryhappy for this brilliant and faultless operation, which signals the triumph of democracy over terrorism. The suffering of 15 persons has ended."

Panamanian President Martin Torrijos said he was pleased at the release of the hostages, saying the international community, specially countries that share borders with Colombia, have kept an attentive eye on its efforts to liberate the hostages.