Betancourt rescued in Colombia

July 02, 2008

Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos announced that the Colombian military had rescued 15 hostages including French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt, three U.S. contractors and 11 Colombians. Santos said all of the former captives were in reasonably good health after being held for years in secret jungle camps. The rescue took place on Wednesday in the southern jungle province of Guaviare. The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as the FARC, has been holding about 40 high-profile hostages it has sought to exchange for jailed rebels. Betancourt, a former presidential candidate with dual nationality, was kidnapped by the FARC in 2002. She was last seen in a rebel video at the end of last year looking gaunt and despondent.