The Colombian army has rescued former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, three US hostages, and 11 others held for years by leftist guerrillas.
Betancourt and other hostages personally thanked President Alvaro Uribe at a press conference in the capital, Bogota, shortly after their rescue. Betancourt, who is a dual French-Colombian citizen, called the operation 'perfect' and Uribe compared it with one of the 'greatest epics in history'. No shots were fired in the rescue. It was carried out by Colombian commandos posing as aid workers sympathetic to the FARC rebel movement, which had kidnapped Betancourt six years ago. The international community has responded with relief to the hostages' release. Colombia's Uribe calls for vote ...
DW boss voices concern about press freedoms ...
Top Farc commander surrenders ...
Chavez urges Colombia's FARC rebels to release all civilian hostages ...
French demand Betancourt release ... Hundreds of people still remain in the hands of the FARC rebels, however.
(Deutsche Welle)
more info >>
<< Back