Chavez says Colombia hostage mission to start soon

Accordind to Reuters Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Monday his government has started preparing for an operation to rescue three hostages held by Colombian rebels, raising hopes others held in jungle camps could be released.The Marxist FARC rebels said over the weekend they would free three Colombian politicians suffering health problems to Chavez or his delegate after the Venezuelan leader brokered the release of two hostages last month. Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has approved the rescue mission despite a diplomatic dispute with Chavez, who describes the United States as an "empire" and accuses White House ally Uribe of plotting a U.S.-sponsored attack on Venezuela.