Colombia's Marxist rebels freed two women hostages last night after years of captivity in the jungle.
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) agreed to the handover after months of mediation by Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez.
A helicopter picked up former vice-presidential candidate Clara Rojas and ex-congresswoman Consuelo Gonzalez and ferried them back across the border where a plane took them to Caracas.
In parting, the two kissed young armed women rebels on the cheeks and shook hands with the men in a jungle clearing near the Colombian town of San Jose del Guaviare.
They then hugged the team that flew in to rescue them and spoke to Mr Chávez with a satellite telephone, thanking him for his mediation.
"Please president, don't drop your guard. The ones left behind want me to tell you that. . . . We have to carry on working," said Ms Gonzalez (57), whose husband died during her six years in captivity.
Ms Rojas (44) had a son by Caesarean section during her five years in captivity.
It was the first time Farc has freed any of its high-profile hostages, who include former presidential candidate French-Colombian Ingrid Betancourt.
