July 3, 2008

Washington, DC— Nevada Senator Harry Reid issued the following statement today in reaction to the release of more than a dozen hostages held in Colombia by the FARC guerrilla group, including former Presidential Candidate Ingrid Betancourt, 3 American contractors – Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes, and Keith Stansell, among others:

 “It is great news that the three U.S. hostages- who are the longest held U.S. hostages in the world - Ingrid Betancourt, and the other hostages were freed, and will finally be reunited with their families. When I was in Colombia last year, we raised the issue of these hostages. This is an issue I and my staff have followed closely and we hope that the FARC will release all remaining hostages so they too can be reunited with their families, and so Colombia can be closer to peace. My thoughts are with them and their families.”

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