A group of Colombian politicians kidnapped almost four years ago by leftwing insurgents could soon be freed in Venezuela, delivering a political boost to both Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and Hugo Chávez, his Venezuelan counterpart.

In an unexpected turn at the weekend, 12 hostages appealed for Mr Chávez to secure their release by guerrillas from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or Farc. The hostages, who are among scores of Colombians and several foreigners being held by the Farc as trophies, pleaded in a video aired on local television for Venezuela to grant them “political asylum”.