BREAKING NEWS - Betancourt, American Contractors, and other FARC Hostages Rescued

By Christopher Gehrke
Impunity Watch, Senior Desk Officer, South America

CARACAS, Venezuela – Colombian operatives disguised as rebels rescued fifteen high-profile hostages today.  The liberated captives include Ingrid Betancourt, a French-Colombian politician and former presidential candidate who had been held for 6 six years, and three American military contractors – Marc Gonsalves, Keith Stansell and Thomas Howes -  who had been held for 5 years.  The other hostages were freed soldiers and police officers.

Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos said intelligence agents had infiltrated the guerilla ranks and led the commander in charge of the hostages to think they were going to take them to Alfonso Cano, the guerrillas’ leader.

According to the New York Times, Ms. Betancourt described the operation as “perfect.” (See Betancourt’s reaction in her press conference on CNN.)  What appeared to be rebel helicopters landed around dawn in the jungle where the hostages were held.  The captives were led to believe that it simply a change of location, and Betancourt said she was handcuffed and “humiliated” before going on board the helicopter.  After takeoff, the crew told their passengers they were free.

“The helicopter almost fell because we were so excited.  We screamed, we cried, we hugged,” said Betancourt.  “We couldn’t believe it.”

The three Americans were taken captive in 2003 after their plane went down on a mission for the U.S. Defense Department.  As of this evening, they were en route back home to the U.S., reported the New York Times.

Ms. Betancourt was captured while campaigning for president in 2002.  Her plight had attracted attention worldwide, and French President Nicolas Sarkozy made several attempts to have her freed since he entered into office.  She was reunited with her family today.

This figures to be another major blow against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), whose key leaders have been both killed and apprehended in recent months.

Santos indicated that Colombia had infiltrated the rebels’ ruling secretariat, but would not elaborate, reports AP.

“The government reiterates to them that if they want to enter into serious negotiations in good faith, we are offering a dignified peace,” he said.

For more information, please see:

New York Times – 15 Hostages Held by Colombian Rebels Are Rescued – 2 July 2008

CNN – Betancourt, U.S. contractors rescued from FARC – 2 July 2008

LA Times – Colombia’s Ingrid Betancourt, three Americans among hostages rescued by soldiers – 2 June 2008

AP - Betancourt: Rescue in Colombia was 'impeccable' - 2 July 2008

The Independent – Hostage free after six-year jungle ordeal – 2 July 2008