Betancourt Released From FARC - No Shots Fired
Posted by StormWarning on 02 Jul 2008 at 08:48 pm | Tagged as: International Issues, Philippines
In what is being described as a “ruse” French-Columbian politician Ingrid Betancourt was dramatically released today from captivity by the FARC. Six years following her kidnapping in which she was held in a deep jungle hideout, she reportedly suffers from a variety of medical problems including hep-B, malnutrition, liver ailments, tropical skin diseases and depression.
Columbian Defense Minister Santos claims that his undercover agents inflitrated the FARC and then, by convincing the local leader, Cesar, that they were going to bring Betancourt, three Americans and 11 Columbian military who were also held captive, to Alfonso Cano, FARC supreme leader. Divided into 3 groups, the hostages were transported to disguised helicopters…once airborne, the military revealed themselves and had Cesar in handcuffs.
The operation, Santos said, “will go into history for its audacity and effectiveness.”
“We wanted to have it happen as it did today,” added armed forces chief Gen. Freddy Padilla. “Without a single shot. Without anyone wounded. Absolutely safe and sound, without a scratch.”
This is another chink in the FARC movement following the “heart attack” death of Manuel Marulanda and the killing of two other FARC leaders. Clearly, the rebel movement is damaged, and just as clearly, this is a significant event. While the Uribe government declares a willingness to negotiate with the rebels to end the 40 year fight, declaring a premature victory battle against the FARC would be wrong.
Betancourt, 46, was abducted in February 2002. The Americans were captured a year later when their drug surveillance plane went down in rebel-held jungle. In the five years since, their families had received only two “proof of life” videos, the latest in November.
President Bush and Senators John McCain and Barack Obama all congratulated the Uribe government on the successful release. McCain, along with Senators Lieberman and Graham were in Columbia and were briefed by Uribe prior to the operation.
These things do not always go well. Just a few years ago in 2002, a similar situation with the Burnhams in the Philippines went totally wrong when a Philippine Commando raid ended in the death of Martin Burnham and a Filipina nurse.
Notable among others is the Right Truth who wrote an article on this today (you might also note her comment to this post below).
Alfonso Cano, Betancourt, Columbia, Defense Minister Santos, FARC, Uribe
This was amazing news. I haven’t had time to read all the details, I’ve either been gone or busy most of the day. Thanks for doing the post. No these don’t always go well.
“These don’t always go well.” That is what I know by experience (running the technical and systems parts stateside)…expecting the unexpected is the rule. The Burnham “rescue” is a perfect example.