Ingrid Betancourt and American Contractors Freed
FARC Hostages Rescued in Colombian Military Trap
Jul 2, 2008
In a meticulously planned operation, fifteen high profile hostages held in captivity by the FARC (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarios de Colombia) have been freed by the Colombian military today July 2, 2008. In addition to Ingrid Betancourt who was held for almost 7 years and the American contractors who were held in the jungles for over 5 years, some of the Colombian military members rescued today had been imprisoned in the jungles of Colombia for an astounding 10 years.
Ingrid Betancourt Freed
The headlines will be dominated by the freedom of Ingrid Betancourt, a Colombian former presidential candidate who holds dual-French citizenship, kidnapped in 2002 while on the campaign trail. Her plight became an international cause celebre and in addition to massive worldwide marches, French President Nicolas Sarkozy made her liberation a cornerstone of his election promises. Recently photos emerged from the jungles of Guaviare (a department in southeastern Colombia from where the captives were rescued) showing Ingrid Betancourt in a very fragile state. Rumours abounded of the various illnesses and bouts of depression from which she was suffering due to the six years she had been held in such inhumane conditions.
The American Contractors
Quickly whisked away from Colombia and currently en route to the United States are the three contractors held in captivity for over five years after their reconnaissance aircraft was downed over the coca producing region in southern Colombia. Thomas Howes, Keith Stansell and Marc Gonsalves are out of Colombia and likely undergoing a thorough debrief in the United States.
How the Hostages Were Rescued - Operation Jaque
In an operation codenamed "Jaque" members of the Colombian armed forces over time were able to infiltrate the ranks of the FARC and persuade a guerrilla known only as "Cesar" to move the high profile hostages to a pre-agreed spot for a helicopter rendez-vous with an NGO. This NGO would then supposedly move the hostages to a secure place to meet potentially with the new leader of the FARC Alfonso Cano or possibly with FARC Secretariat member Mono Jojoy. The NGO in question was of course fictitious and as soon as the helicopter was airborne the Colombian military let it be known that the captives were on their way to freedom, first to San Jose del Guaviare and then later on to Bogota.
The FARC is Finished?
There are many schools of thought who believe that the FARC, after five decades, is in its final struggle for survival. While one cannot make this claim just yet, FARC is most likely at its lowest ever ebb. The deaths of key members of the group, their leader Manuel Marulanda, the No2 Raul Reyes in Ecuador and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's very public distancing from the group must have seriously hurt the rebel outfit. Government bulletins and reports show daily surrenders and desertions from the rank and file of the rebel group. Whatever the case, over 600 people remain in captivity and remain at risk.
