Colombian former presidency candidate Ingrid Betancourt described Wednesday the rescue operation which freed her and 14 other hostages from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) as "perfect."
"Thank you, the army of my Colombian homeland ... thanks for your faultless operation. The operation was perfect," she said during an emotional speech at a military base in Bogota.
"The chief of the operation said: 'we are the National Army. You are free,'" she said. "This is a miracle I want to share with all of you. It is a (moment of) pride for us Colombians," Betancourt said.
Betancourt was kidnapped in February 2002 during a presidential campaign. She and three Americans, held since 2003, were rescued along with 11 Colombian soldiers in a dramatic military operation, after soldiers infiltrated the rebel group.
The former presidency candidate, who will be 46 in December, looked in good health, in contrast with the various stories put out by the Colombian government that she was very sick and about to die.
Betancourt and the 11 Colombians arrived at Catam military basein Bogota Wednesday noon. The U.S. advisors Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes and Keith Stansell were taken back to the States.
"This operation called 'Jaque,' has no precedent and it shows the very high quality and the professionalism of the Colombian military forces," Colombian Defense Minister Manuel Santos said.
Military intelligence agents infiltrated FARC, telling local commander "Cesar," who was in charge of the hostages, that he had to take them in a helicopter to Alfonso Cano, the group's top leader.
Military commanders surrounded Cesar and his men before they agreed to deliver the hostages without resistance, Santos said, adding that he will reveal more details of the operation later.
"It's like a movie. A movie about rescuing persons who have been tortured," Santos said.
General Mario Montoya, commander of the Colombian Army, said it was "checkmate for FARC, undoubtedly."
Source:Xinhua
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