France's foreign minister is headed for Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela next week, trying advance efforts at freeing hostages held by Colombia's leftist rebels.
France is focusing on the release of dual French-Colombian national Ingrid Betancourt, who was kidnapped by guerrillas in 2002 while running for Colombia's presidency. Hostages recently released by the rebels say she was weak and gaunt when they last saw her in early February.
The foreign minister, Bernard Kouchner, is to meet with President Alvaro Uribe on Monday, with President Rafael Correa of Ecuador the following day and with President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela on Wednesday, his office said in Paris on Friday.
France sent a medical mission to Colombia earlier this month to try to treat Betancourt after reports circulated that she was near death. But the reports were never confirmed and rebels of the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia refused to receive the mission.
France has backed a proposal to swap jailed rebels for high-profile hostages, including Betancourt. Three U.S. military contractors seized by the rebels in February 2003 could also be part of an eventual deal.
The FARC unilaterally released six Colombian hostages to President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela in January and February and he is considered the key go-between for any possible swap.
