Colombians took to the streets in large numbers today to protest kidnappings that have plagued the country during its 44-year-old guerrilla war.
Declaring that this year's Independence Day should be renamed "Freedom Day" for 2,800 people held captive in remote jungle and mountain camps, thousands were expected to march in cities throughout the country.
They called on the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or Farc, and other outlawed groups to stop taking hostages and lay down their arms.
The marches will further pressure the Farc, which has suffered recent severe setbacks as a result of President Alvaro Uribe's US-backed military offensive.
Mr Uribe is seen as a hero by many Colombians for going on the attack against rebels who have been fighting the state since the 1960s. His popularity topped 90 percent after the dramatic rescue of 15 high-profile hostages on July 2nd.
Related demonstrations were held cities around the world including Paris, where recently-released captive Ingrid Betancourt addressed an emotional crowd ahead of a concert by Colombian pop star Juanes.
Ms Betancourt, a French-Colombian politician released in the July 2nd operation after more than six years in captivity, called on the rebels to talk peace with Mr Uribe, whose father was killed in a botched Farc kidnapping in 1983.
Over the last 12 years, 23,854 people have been taken hostage in Colombia, 2,800 of whom remain in captivity.
"We are going to shout out to the jungles," said Colombian singer Carlos Vives ahead of a concert to be held in the Amazon town of Leticia.
He hoped his message would reach some of the estimated 700 hostages held by the Farc for ransom and political leverage. The other captives are held by a variety of criminal groups.
Colombia has received more than $5.5 million in US aid over the last eight years aimed at beating the guerrillas and cracking down on the cocaine trade that funds them.
Ms Betancourt, three American defense contractors and 11 other hostages held by the Farc were rescued when the rebels were duped into turning their most-prized captives over to soldiers disguised as aid workers.
Family members of remaining hostages worry that international pressure might die down now that Betancourt and the Americans are free.