Guide Note

On July 4, 2008, the Colombian military released a video of the operation which rescued Ingrid Betancourt and several other FARC hostages. FARC (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia) is the Spanish acronym for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

Fast Facts

1. Video released by Colombian military on July 4, 2008
2. Shows rescue of FARC hostages
3. Footage shows hostages wearing plastic handcuffs
4. FARC guerrillas seen in the distance¹
5. Hostages led towards helicopters
6. Hostages were told they were being moved to another camp¹
7. Colombian military posed as aid workers
8. FARC rebels were tricked into letting hostages free¹
9. Betancourt cries when she realizes she has been rescued