The Colombian authorities say they have rescued Ingrid Betancourt and three Americans held by rebels in Colombia. Ms Betancourt, a French-Colombian politician, has been held for more than six years by the rebel Farc group and is said to be in very poor health. She is the group's highest-profile hostage and the French government has made securing her release a priority. The Farc group has been fighting to overthrow the Colombian government for more than 40 years.
The Colombian authorities say they have rescued Ingrid Betancourt and three Americans held by rebels in Colombia.
Ms Betancourt, a French-Colombian politician, has been held for more than six years by the rebel Farc group and is said to be in very poor health.
She is the group's highest-profile hostage and the French government has made securing her release a priority.
The Farc group has been fighting to overthrow the Colombian government for more than 40 years.
BOGOTA (Reuters) - French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt and three Americans were rescued from leftist guerrillas by Colombian troops, Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos said on Wednesday.
They have no shame. Sarkozy postured as doing something everytime he thought it was happening, to the point of total ridicule when a plane was just sent with absolutely no plan about what to do. And now that France had NOTHING to do with it, and it had left the media somewhat because Sarkozy thought it was not happening and needed people to forget his empty promises (also the FARC leader had died, probably creating some disorganisation), it happens. And it's I want to thank Sarkozy, whose shameless populism endangered Betancourt a lot lately.
We are a propaganda state. Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed. Gandhi
The family is filmed at the Elysée palace (huh? Do they live there these days?), and are thanking Sarkozy all over the place, then comments are all about "this was a Sarkozy priority", "Sarkozy's actions set everything in motion"...
I hope he doesn't get any glory, but my bet's not on that. Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed. Gandhi
The news here talks of up to 15 captives freed, ---although only Betancourt and the three 'Americans' seem to matter--- about a military infiltration that 'earned the trust' of the FARC leaders 'in a month long operation'...., convincing them to move the captives 'in a helicopter'. Even Betancourt said that everytime they heard a helicopter they were moved on the run.
Come on. Some guerrilla leaders have surrendered, probably with some negotiation for both sides to keep face and save lives.
I am glad they are freed, that Betancourt's health is much, much better than announced and guess a believable version will come out in time. Our knowledge has surpassed our wisdom. -Charu Saxena.
