In Colombia, hundreds of thousands of people took part in a nationwide protest Monday against the rebel group FARC. The group is currently holding at least 800 hostages seized during its conflict with the Colombian government. Recently freed hostage Consuelo Gonzalez de Perdomo was among the demonstrators.

Consuelo Gonzales de Perdomo: “I am happy that the Colombian people have understood that they play an important role in this situation that this country is going through in trying to attain liberty, that this motivation has to continue and it has to be permanent.”

Protests were also held across Latin America and in cities worldwide, including New York, Washington, Madrid and Sydney. Two hostages were released last month, with another three expected this week. FARC says it will again hand over the hostages to Venezuela. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has called on the international community to revoke its labeling of the FARC as a terrorist group and open negotiations on a peace deal.