The Colombian government has recommended that three Irishmen awaiting the outcome of an appeal against their acquittal for training rebels should be allowed return to Ireland.
However, the offer is on condition the Irish authorities return them to Bogota if prosecutors win their case.
Vice President Francisco Santos said the Colombian government presented the recommendation to the courts after an agreement with Irish officials. But he warned that Colombian judicial authorities would ultimately make the decision.
"If the appeal is negative, against them [the Irishmen], they will return to serve out their jail sentence here," Mr Santos told reporters, outlining the agreement.
"This is a decision that will be made by the court ... There is a separation of powers," Mr Santos added.
Lawyers for Mr Jim Monaghan, Mr Niall Connolly and Mr Martin McCauley have argued the men were in danger of attack from right-wing paramilitary death squads unless allowed to leave Colombia.
The Irishmen are still in Bogota's Modelo jail, which they say is safer than freedom, pending payment of fines of about $7,000 each for using false passports during their 2001 trip to a rebel stronghold.
Judge Jairo Acosta, who cleared them of the main bomb charge in April, later ruled that the men had to stay in Colombia until the appeals process ran its course.
If the case reaches the Supreme Court, legal experts said it could take as long as five more years.
"The Irish government has given guarantees to the Colombian government it will adhere to Colombian laws," said Ms Caitriona Ruane who heads a support group for the men.