Hundreds of thousands of shouting, weeping and flag-waving Colombians marched on Sunday, calling for an end to the kidnappings that have plagued the country during its 44-year-old guerrilla war.Declaring that this year's Independence Day should be renamed "Freedom Day" for the 2,800 captives held in secret jungle camps, Colombians rallied throughout the country and voiced growing hope for an end to the conflict. They called on the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC, and other illegal groups to stop taking hostages and enter peace talks.
The march further pressured the rebels, who have suffered recent severe setbacks as a result of President Alvaro Uribe's U.S.-backed military offensive.
| Declaring that this year's Independence Day should be renamed "Freedom Day" for the 2,800 captives held in secret jungle camps, Colombians rallied throughout the country and voiced growing hope for an end to the conflict. |
"For the first time in my lifetime we are really starting to believe that peace is possible," said Adriana Correa, 30, a public employee who participated in the demonstration.
Uribe is seen as a hero by many Colombians for going on the attack against the leftist guerrillas who have been fighting since the 1960s. His popularity topped 90 percent after the dramatic rescue of 15 high-profile hostages on July 2.
Left-leaning opposition leaders marched alongside Uribe supporters, some of whom shouted, "No more FARC. Free hostages now."