Colombian television has shown a videotape sent by FARC guerrillas showing the 12 provincial politicians kidnapped in April alive and well.
Television channel CMI showed each hostage reading out calls to the government of President Mr Alvaro Uribe to negotiate a humanitarian exchange of FARC prisoners for their lives.
The hostages said the videotape had been made on August 16th and that the rebels were treating them well.
The politicians were kidnapped at gunpoint on April 11th from the Valle Department Assembly, in Cali, by a commando of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, the country's largest and oldest rebel group.
After the broadcast, Valle Assembly President Mr Carlos Rodriguez said the images provided "an injection of hope.
"We're very happy with this proof of life. Now we can only hope to negotiate a humanitarian agreement that will lead to the release of all hostages in Colombia and the beginning of a peace process," Mr Rodriguez said.
FARC has repeatedly proposed an exchange of its imprisoned members for the 12 politicians and another 14 it is holding hostage, including former presidential candidate Ms Ingrid Betancourt.
Since his inauguration on August 7th, Mr Uribe has sought to resume peace talks with FARC that broke off in February under former president Mr Andres Pastrana.
AFP