Gov. Bill Richardson will fly to Caracas, Venezuela, Friday to meet with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to help secure the release of three U.S. hostages being held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the Governor's Office said in a news release.

Richardson, who is not an official envoy but is coordinating the humanitarian mission with the Department of State, has been asked to help by the families of the hostages who have been held by FARC since 2003, the Governor's Office said.

Earlier this year, the FARC released six Colombian hostages to Chavez, and Richardson said in the release, "I believe President Chavez can play a positive role in the ultimate release of the hostages."

Richardson also will meet with U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela Patrick Duddy and other Venezuelan officials, the release said.

Last month, the governor went to Bogota, Colombia, to meet with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, U.S. Ambassador William R. Brownfield, Colombian High Commissioner for Peace Luis Carlos Restrepo, Colombian Sen. Piedad Cordoba and religious leaders to help the Colombian government reach a humanitarian accord with the rebel group.

The so-called Acuerdo Humanitario refers to a possible agreement to exchange hostages held by FARC with rebel prisoners held by the Colombian government.

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