Hundreds of thousands of Colombians have taken to the streets to demand an end to the kidnappings that have plagued the country during its 44-year-old guerrilla war.
The marches coincide with Colombia's Independence Day. Demonstrators said it should be renamed "Freedom Day" for an estimated 2,800 captives held in secret jungle camps. Demonstrators called on the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and other illegal groups to stop taking hostages and enter peace talks. In Paris, freed hostage Ingrid Betancourt is presiding over a concert headlined by her Colombian countryman Juanes. The former French-Colombian presidential candidate was rescued from the clutches of FARC rebels on July 2 along with 14 other hostages after spending six years in captivity.
(Deutsche Welle)
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