4th anniversary of Ingrid Betancourt's abduction

[MissMaCo]

4 years ago, Ingrid Betancourt was abducted by the FARC along with Clara Rojas. Since then she became the international symbol of the Colombian hostage crisis.

Ingrid Betancourt Pulecio (born December 25, 1961) is a Colombian politician, former senator, and anti-corruption activist. She is considered as Colombia's most famous hostage, especially internationally. She was kidnapped by the FARC on February 23, 2002 while campaigning for the presidency. As of the fourth anniversary of her abduction, Betancourt is still being held.

 

[verte76]

 

[Lemonchick]

my god...it's been so long...I still lived in Colombia when this happened

When was the last time we heard of her?

 

[Muggsy]

The last time we heard of her, here in colombia was last year ...

it is so awful that the people who are trying to build something good for this country, have to suffer in hands of terrorist groups who only want violence and repression.

 

[melon]

Not to trivialize her situation, but it pretty much reads as if she pretty much handed herself to FARC.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ingrid_Betancourt

Several Colombian political figures continued to attempt to visit the demilitarized zone even as the talks ended. Most candidates for political office that intended to do so backed off when authorities warned them of the danger. Ingrid Betancourt, as another one of these candidates, insisted to be taken to the former DMZ by a military aircraft. President Pastrana and other officials turned down this petition arguing that neither they, nor the Colombian Army, could guarantee her safety during the turmoil that would follow the retaking of the DMZ. Additionally, Betancourt was running for president in the 2002 elections; aiding her in such a request meant that the government was rendering its resources to Betancourt's private political interests. Agreeing to Betancourt's request would also mean that the government was either backing a candidate for the presidential elections or that it then had to assist every single candidate in their demands of using official and military resources for their private interests.

When denied transport aboard this military helicopter that was heading to the zone, she decided to head into the DMZ via ground transport, together with her presidential running-mate Clara Rojas and a handful of political aides. On February 23, 2002, she was stopped at the last military checkpoint before going into the former DMZ. Military officers insisted to her and to her party not to continue in their effort to reach San Vicente del Caguan, the village used for the peace talks. Intense fighting was taking place inside the DMZ and the security situation was rapidly deteriorating. Betancourt dismissed their warning and she continued her journey, being kidnapped by FARC, who have held her ever since.

Melon

 

[Muggsy]

Not to trivialize her situation, but it pretty much reads as if she pretty much handed herself to FARC.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ingrid_Betancourt



Melon

what you say is what many people think here. Some say that she was reckless, and yeah, we all know that she was warning to not go there.