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Colombia Releases Video of Hostage Rescue; Betancourt Undergoes Medical Tests

05 July 2008

In this frame grab from a video released by Colombia's Army, Ingrid Betancourt seen with her hands tied together during Colombian military mission
In this frame grab from a video released by Colombia's Army, Ingrid Betancourt seen with her hands tied together during Colombian military mission
French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt underwent medical tests at a hospital in Paris Saturday following her release after six years as a Colombian rebel group's hostage.

Betancourt's sister, Astrid Betancourt, told French media that the initial results were satisfactory.

Earlier, Ingrid Betancourt told French media she suffered a series of ailments while living under harsh jungle conditions as a hostage of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.

She was rescued Wednesday in a Colombian military operation along with 14 other high-profile hostages, including three American defense contractors.

The Colombian military recently released a video of the operation which shows FARC rebels unwittingly handing their valuable hostages over to soldiers disguised as aid workers.

In another development, Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos has rejected a Swiss radio report that Colombia had paid millions of dollars in ransom to rebels for the hostage release.

Santos also said the operation was executed entirely by Colombian forces.   But he noted that the United States provided some equipment.

Betancourt - who was held captive for six years - is in Paris, where she has been welcomed by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who lobbied for her release.

Betancourt was seized in 2002 while campaigning for the Colombian presidency.  The three American contractors were kidnapped in 2003 when their small plane crashed in the Colombian jungle during a counter-narcotics operation.

Colombian intelligence officials tricked rebels into handing over their most prominent hostages for transport by helicopter to another location.  The hostages boarded what turned out to be government helicopters that flew them to safety.

The operation is widely described as an embarrassing setback for the FARC, which has lost some of its senior commanders in recent months.  Desertions also have trimmed its ranks.

The United States, Colombia and European Union have designated the FARC a terrorist organization.  The group is believed to be holding more than 700 hostages in jungle locations.


 

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.

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Footage of Hostage Rescue in Colombia from Colombian Defense Ministry video clip