Colombians' wish: release of hostages

CALI, Colombia -- Six-year-old Daniela Narvaez has written a list of gifts she wants this Christmas, and before all else comes one long-standing wish: "My Papa."

Her father was kidnapped by rebels nearly four years ago, and now she and other Colombians have new hope their loved ones will be freed. The government has agreed to a proposal for talks on exchanging jailed rebels for hostages, but the largest rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, has yet to respond.

"I hope they bring back my dad because I love him a lot," Daniela said. "I want to see him in person."

Daniela has no memory of her father, Juan Carlos; she was only 2 when rebels posing as soldiers stormed the provincial legislature in Cali and led him away along with 11 other congressman.

She knows him only from old photos and videos sent by his captors, but she often imagines what it would be like if he came home. "I'd give him kisses and hugs. I'd tickle him," she said.

The holidays mark a particularly difficult time for relatives of an estimated 5,000 Colombians kidnapped in recent years by leftist rebels, criminals or right-wing paramilitaries. Some of the missing are likely dead, but others are thought to be alive, held for ransom or as pawns to be traded for government concessions.

Daniela's father is on a list of 62 people, including three Americans, called "exchangeables" by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia -- highly valued hostages to be traded for imprisoned comrades rather than ransom.

The rebels have continued the kidnappings, taking 29 police officers hostage over the weekend, only to abandon them in the jungle Tuesday while being chased by troops on foot and with helicopters.

Colombia has traditionally been considered the world's kidnapping capital, though in recent years kidnappings have surged in other countries such as Mexico and Haiti. The number of reported kidnappings in Colombia has dropped by half in the past year, with government figures showing 339 abductions in the past 12 months.

The largest rebel group, known by its initials as the FARC, is thought to have hundreds of hostages in remote jungle camps. Some have been held for eight years.

The missing include police and politicians, teenagers and three U.S. Defense Department contractors whose plane crashed in rebel territory in 2003. Among the highest-profile hostages is Ingrid Betancourt, who was kidnapped by rebels in 2002 while campaigning for the presidency.

President Alvaro Uribe has taken a hard line against rebels, but last week his government agreed to a proposal by international mediators to clear one southern town of troops and rebels for talks with the FARC on a prisoner swap.

Relatives' voices fill the radio waves before dawn each day, with spouses, parents and children delivering emotional messages that they hope will reach the hostages.

Daniela's mother, Fabiola Perdomo, 36, calls in each day at 5 a.m., trusting her husband hears somewhere in the mountains. Sometimes, there are so many callers that getting on the air can be difficult.

"We hope you may be with us again very soon," Perdomo said on the radio this week. "Hang in there, Juan Carlos. Take care, my love. Remember we need you."

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