DNA Tests Show Rebels Don't Have Colombian Boy

Alleged hostage is actually in foster care
By Zach Samalin,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 4, 2008 4:36 PM CST
DNA Tests Show Rebels Don't Have Colombian Boy
In this image released by Argentina's government palace, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, second right, makes a thumb up as Argentina's former President Nestor Kirchner, right, watches as helicopters depart from the airport in Santo Domingo, Venezuela, Friday, Dec. 28, 2007, heading Villavicencio,...   (Associated Press)

DNA tests all but confirmed today that a 3-year-old boy Colombian rebels had pledged to include in a hostage-release deal has actually been in foster care since 2005. The group FARC negotiated the release of Emmanuel Rojas—born to a female hostage and her rebel captor—with Hugo Chavez; the test results appear to cement Colombian claims that FARC duped the Venezuelan president.

"A second test will be performed in Spain to provide confirmation," said a spokesperson for the Colombian AG. Even though Chavez is on the ropes for bungling the deal, he hasn't stopped lashing out at his Colombian counterpart, Alvaro Uribe, and irate Venezuelan officials want to be allowed to conduct their own DNA tests. "The fight for the truth continues," Venezuela's foreign minister said today. (More FARC stories.)

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