US hostages are in good shape: military

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (AFP) — Three US defense contractors held hostage for more than five years by leftist rebels in Colombia are in good shape and have proved to be very resilient, the US military said Thursday.

"They were all in very good physical condition, very strong," said Colonel Jackie Hayes, who described the men as "very resilient" and "stress hearty."

"They're in great spirits," Hayes told a press conference after the three men were flown to a Texas air force base following their rescue by the Colombian military on Wednesday.

The men were among 15 hostages, including French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt, rescued by Colombian soldiers posing as guerrillas from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), in a bold and bloodless...