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• A Colombian military operation on July 2, 2008, led to the rescue of Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt from the terrorist organization FARC. The operation also freed three Americans and 11 other hostages.CNN.com: Betancourt rescued from FARC kidnappers... (July 2, 2008)

• Fast Facts

  1. No one injured in the operationYouTube Video: Betancourt, 3 American Hostages Freed From FARC (Time: 0:46)
  2. 11 Colombian police officers and soldiers rescued
  3. Three Americans also rescued: Keith Stansell, Marc Gonsalves and Thomas HowesCNN.com: Betancourt rescued from FARC kidnappers... (July 2, 2008)
  4. Americans were civilian contractors with Northrop GrummanCNN.com: Betancourt rescued from FARC kidnappers... (July 2, 2008)
  5. Approximately 750 hostages held by FARC in South American junglesCNN.com: Betancourt rescued from FARC kidnappers... (July 2, 2008)
  6. Operation commended by John McCain, who was visiting Colombia at the timeFOX News: McCain Calls for 'Hemispheric' Trade Deal, During Trip to Colombia(July 2, 2008)
  7. Reunited with children on June 3, 2008 in FranceAssociated Press: Freed hostage Ingrid Betancourt embraces children(July 3, 2008)

• Ingrid Betancourt

  1. Born: December 25, 1961
  2. Birthplace: Bogota, Colombia
  3. Citizen of France
  4. Served in the Colombian Senate from 1998 until her kidnapping
  5. Kidnapped on February 23, 2002
  6. Ran for presidency of Colombia in 2002
  7. Reports had indicated Betancourt was experiencing health problemsFrance 24: French-Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt rescued (July 2, 2008)

• Farc Rebels Fooled

  The Colombian soldiers who rescued Betancourt posed as aid workers. They told the rebels they were going to transport the captives to the Farc commander's camp. The soldiers picked up the hostages in helicopters, which really belonged to the army.BBC News: Colombia Hostage Betancourt Freed(July 3, 2008)

  Betancourt did not realize she had been rescued until she saw her captor lying naked and blindfolded on the floor of the helicopter.BBC News: Colombia Hostage Betancourt Freed(July 3, 2008)

• Ingrid Betancourt Quotes

  "Nirvana, paradise..that must be very similar to what I feel at this moment...It was because of them that I kept up my will to get out of that jungle."Associated Press: Freed hostage Ingrid Betancourt embraces children(July 3, 2008)—Ingrid Betancourt

  "The last time I saw my son, Lorenzo was a little kid and I could carry him around...I told them, they're going to have to put up with me now, because I'm going to be stuck to them like chewing gum."Associated Press: Freed hostage Ingrid Betancourt embraces children(July 3, 2008)—Ingrid Betancourt

• Captivity

  Betancourt was taken captive during her term as a senator in Columbia. She was kidnapped from her car along with her aide while campaigning for president. During her time in captivity, several videos of Betancourt have been released by FARC. In the last video, released in November 2007, Betancourt appeared very sick.BBC: Profile: Ingrid Betancourt It was this video that prompted French officials to urge that measures be taken for her release.CNN.com: Betancourt rescued from FARC kidnappers... (July 2, 2008)

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Ingrid Betancourt | Farc | Clara Rojas | Oliver Stone FARC Hostages | Chavez Meets Farc | Chavez-Uribe Row | Hugo Chavez | Alvaro Uribe | Emmanuel Rojas | Oscar Tulio Lizcano

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