In Venezuela, President Hugo Chavez has announced he’s scrapping a controversial intelligence overhaul, following widespread criticism from human rights rights groups. The rules would have apparently forced Venezuelans to spy on each other. On Sunday, Chavez said he had made a mistake.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez: “To err is human. We made a mistake, and we have to correct the law, and we are going to correct it. And all Venezuelans have to have the security in our government and this Bolivarian state that we will never trample on the rights of Venezuelans, no matter what their politics. Never.”

Chavez went on to address fractured relations with Colombia, where he said FARC rebels should end their armed campaign against the government and release hostages.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez: “I believe the hour has come for the FARC to release all those they are holding in the mountains. It would be a great gesture, humanitarian, in exchange for no one. I mention this now as there is a new chief to head the secretariat of the FARC, and this could be the first step toward ending the internal war in Colombia.”

Chavez’s comments came one day after Colombia said it had captured two Venezuelans it accused of carrying arms shipments to FARC rebels.