CARACAS, Venezuela — Colombian rebels freed four lawmakers yesterday after six years of captivity, the guerrillas’ second hostage release this year as they seek to persuade the international community to strike them from lists of terrorist groups.

The rebels handed over the four Colombian politicians to the international Red Cross and a top official from President Chavez’s government in a clearing in Colombia’s southern jungles.

In video footage, the hostages appeared on a ridge, some raising arms in the air, then embraced officials sent to pick them up. The hostage Gloria Polanco received flowers from a female guerrilla and sobbed “thank you, thank you” to no one in particular as she wept. “My sons, my sons,” Ms. Polanco said breaking down, referring to the three young men who waited for her in Caracas. “I didn’t know if I’d have a chance to see my three sons again.” The handover was filmed by the Caracas-based TV channel Telesur.

A guerrilla commander spoke of bombardments by the Colombian military that he said were very close to the group and delayed the release. Two Venezuelan helicopters flew the four to Venezuelan territory, where they landed at an airport in the western town of Santo Domingo. From there, they boarded a plane to be flown to family reunions in Caracas.