Venezuela ? Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is “ready to help re-engage in negotiations” for the release of three American hostages held captive by rebels in Colombia, a visiting U.S. governor said late Saturday.

Gov. Bill Richardson, D-N.M., told The Associated Press in a telephone interview that he plans to put forward a proposal for the release of the three U.S. defense contractors in the coming weeks and that Chavez is willing to work with him as a “primary mediator.”

The Democratic governor met with Chavez on Saturday night to discuss the issue. The president did not release any statements following the meeting.

Earlier Saturday, Chavez remarked that he did not know “if I’m going to be able to continue helping.”

“I’m going to listen to him, to see how we could,” he said.