FARC says Colombian military operations prohibiting release of hostages

(CNN) - Colombian military operations are "prohibiting" the release of three hostages whom Colombian leftist rebels promised to free, the group said in a statement that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez read on Venezuelan television.

Colombian President Alvaro Uribe denied the group's assertion, and said there are no combat operations in the area. The Colombian government had given all necessary assurances for the successful completion of the humanitarian mission, Uribe said during a televised news conference.

Earlier Monday, Colombia's peace negotiator accused the group of lying and delaying the hostages' release, saying FARC had not provided the "pertinent information," or coordinates regarding where the freed hostages could be picked up.