Colombian Senator: two FARC leaders are meeting with Chávez

Colombian Senator Piedad Córdoba, who is seeking an agreement between the Colombian government and the FARC for the release of a number of hostages, said two leaders of the rebel group are attending a meeting with Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, who is also a mediator in the process.

The lawmaker, whom Colombian President Álvaro Uribe designated to mediate to reach an agreement with the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC), told reporters that the representatives of the rebel group who are likely to meet with Chávez are Luciano Marín, also known as Iván Márquez, and Jorge Briceño, called Mono Jojoy, Efe said.

Chávez was scheduled to meet last October 8 in Caracas with FARC delegates, but the encounter was adjourned at least for a month because of some statements made by the Colombian government, said Córdoba earlier this week in the Venezuelan capital.

Iván Márquez is one of the major ideologists of FARC, and a member of the so-called secretariat or high command. Mono Jojoy is the group's military head, and he is considered the most radical leader of the guerrilla organization.

According to Córdoba, despite discrepancies, the process to achieve a humanitarian swap of hostages held by FARC and rebels who are in jail "is moving forward."

"The humanitarian agreement is coming soon," she added.