Ingrid Betancourt - FARC Hostage
6 Years and Counting in Captivity by the FARC Guerrillas
Apr 5, 2008
Captured on February 24, 2002 while on the Presidential campaign trail through the FARC heartlands of San Vicente del Caguan in south-western Colombia, Ingrid Betancourt has, over the years become the international and human face of the tragedy that is engulfing this nation. Her aide Clara Rojas and other ex politicians have since been freed, Colombia demands mercy.
International Outcry
Over the past few months there has been increased calls from the international community in particular from the French President Nicolas Sarkozy (Betancourt holds French citizenship through marriage) and Venezuelan Premier Hugo Chavez for a humanitarian exchange of FARC-held hostages for Government held guerrillas with a particular emphasis on releasing the former Presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt. President Sarkozy has even offered asylum to high ranking FARC officials should this exchange be executed.
The outcry has been growing in force – as recognised by the massive protest marches “No More FARC” held throughout Colombia and various cities worldwide in February – after images captured in a Government raid on a FARC safe-house in Bogota revealed Ingrid Betancourt to be in a perilous condition.
Illnesses
A FARC-aligned medic captured recently has spoken of treating Betancourt in the Colombian jungles giving credence to the beliefs that she is suffering from a strain of Hepatitis, both Vivax and Falciparum malarias, chronic gastritis and is severely depressed. Her youngest son, speaking at a press conference in Paris this week stated that his mother’s condition is such that she requires a full blood transfusion in hours or she will likely die.
ICRC and French Delegation at the Ready
President Sarkozy recently authorized for a plane of doctors to fly to Colombia in order to treat Betancourt alongside an International Red Cross delegation. However, the ICRC has yet to hear anything from the FARC and therefore cannot proceed with the mercy mission. The plane stands on the runway ready to fly to the jungles of Guaviare (supposedly where Betancourt is being held and from where recent hostages have been released) at a moment’s notice. There have been talks of an exchange in Venezuela, Brazil or even in French Guiana.
Alive or Dead?
There is some speculation, fuelled by the tumultuous rumour mill and by the media that Ingrid Betancourt has already died. The Diario de Huila (a newspaper in a region where the FARC has a strong presence) announced her demise some days ago in a medical centre in San Vicente del Caguan or San Jose de la Frague, although after some scrutiny they had to retract their headline and apologise.
The Raul Reyes Equation
So far there has been no word from the FARC to say that they are going to allow the French and ICRC delegation to see the stricken politician despite reassurances from Colombian President Alvaro Uribe’s declarations that he will suspend military operations in the region.
Rodrigo Granda, a high ranking FARC operative, released by the Government last year has expressed his doubts on any humanitarian exchange given the recent Colombian military success against the FARC – albeit within Ecuador’s borders – in killing the FARC number 2, Raul Reyes.
And one has to ask: Why would the FARC give up their key hostage and bargaining chip? Everything points to further misery in the jungle for the hostages, Ingrid Betancourt, the three American contractors and the estimated further 2000 people held in inhumane conditions. The FARC will continue to hold out for a demilitarised zone in the area of Florida and Pradera, something the Colombian Government will never agree to.
Where does this leave these souls in the jungle?
Colombia waits.
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