Venezuela President Hugo Chavez said political recognition of guerrilla groups by Colombia's government is a ``path to peace'' and a way of ``regularizing'' what he called a civil war.

Countries should remove the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as the FARC, and other guerrilla groups from lists of terrorists and recognize them as insurgents with political aims, Chavez said today, reiterating a call he made Jan. 11 after the FARC released two hostages to Venezuela. Chavez made the comments in his weekly television show.

Political recognition has been a goal of the FARC, which has been labeled a terrorist group for kidnapping and killing civilians as part of its decades-long struggle with the Colombian government. Chavez said recognizing the group's political goals would give guerrillas a chance to leave their jungle redoubts and run for office without threat of death.