French hostage, three Americans rescued from FARC rebels

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

BOGOTA (AFP) — French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt and three US nationals were Wednesday rescued along with other hostages from Marxist FARC rebels in a daring jungle operation, Colombian officials said.

Betancourt, who was seized in 2002, and the three Americans held since 2003, were plucked from their captors along with 11 Colombian soldiers in a helicopter-backed military operation, Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos said.

"Fifteen hostages held by the FARC have been rescued unharmed. Among the hostages was Ingrid Betancourt, three US citizens and 11 members of our armed forces," Santos told a press conference.

World leaders were swift to welcome the news, and celebrations broke out on the streets of major Colombian cities as residents hailed...