Colombia Hostage Rescue Stalls

An expected hostage release negotiated by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez with Colombian leftist rebels failed to materialize yesterday, setting the stage for a more dramatic event today as Latin American politicians and diplomats—and Hollywood film director Oliver Stone—joined rescuers and officials waiting for the rebels' next move, reports CNN.

The FARC, which holds dozens of captives, including three defense contractors from the US, agreed to allow two Venezuelan helicopters into its territory to rescue a former Colombian congresswoman, a presidential campaign manager and her young son, who was born in captivity. Colombian authorities pledged not to pursue the rebels during the handover. Stone, a Chavez fan, said he was there to film "a documentary about Latin America." (More Colombia stories.)