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Colombia hunts for rebels' hostages

Posted on Fri, May. 18, 2007

Colombia hunts for rebels' hostages

By JOSHUA GOODMAN

Former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt is forced to sleep chained by her neck as punishment for having tried to escape from her rebel captors five times, an escaped hostage told family members of the dual French-Colombian citizen.
Deploring these "concentration camp" conditions, an angry President Alvaro Uribe ordered his military to intensify efforts Friday to free Betancourt and three American military contractors being held by leftist rebels.

The high-profile prisoners and eight more hostages were being held in the same Amazon jungle camp from where police officer Jhon Frank Pinchao escaped April 28, after eight years in captivity of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.

After 17 days trekking, swimming and crawling through the jungle, Pinchao was found Wednesday by an anti-narcotics police patrol. On Thursday he met with dozens of family members of FARC hostages at a police hospital where he is being treated for malnutrition and exposure-related skin problems.

During the brief meeting, he described how Betancourt was chained by the neck to other prisoners every night - and sometimes for 24 hours at a time - in order to prevent her from escaping, family members present at the meeting told The Associated Press on Friday.

"They're treating her like an animal," said her husband, Juan Carlos Lecompte, adding that he feared her captors would harshen their treatment of the hostages following Pinchao's escape. "The guerrillas lie when they say they're treating women and prisoners humanely."

Pinchao, he said, was kept with Betancourt for almost three years.

Betancourt was kidnapped in 2002 while campaigning for the presidency on a leftist ticket in southern Colombia, a longtime rebel stronghold.

In 2003, the FARC sent a proof-of-life video of Betancourt and her running mate Clara Rojas, who Pinchao said gave birth three years ago in captivity to a child named Emanuel. The father is a guerrilla, Pinchao said.

After suffering a bout of hepatitis a year ago, Pinchao said, Betancourt remains thin but is otherwise in good health and recently was his daily exercise partner.

Betancourt passes her days discussing politics with other hostages, reading and keeping a journal of her long captivity, according to Pulecio and Lecompte. She also managed to safeguard from her captors a radio with which she receives daily messages from loved ones transmitted over a radio program dedicated to the hostages.

"I send Ingrid a message every morning at 5 a.m. (local time) and ask myself whether she can hear me or not," Pulecio said. "Now I know she can hear me."

Uribe, at a military ceremony, said Pinchao's testimony "demonstrates that the FARC's concentration camps are more cruel than the concentration camps of the Nazis." He also exhorted his top generals to draft up plans to free the hostages, despite the opposition of family members who fear any rescue operation would end in a bloodbath.

"Generals we're going to rescue Ingrid Betancourt," said a visibly angered Uribe. Moments later he added "and let there be no doubt in the U.S. Congress that we're also going to militarily rescue the FARC's three American hostages."

Uribe was referring to three Northrop Grumman Corp. contractors who were on a drug surveillance mission in Colombia's cocaine-producing southern jungle when their plane crashed on Feb. 13, 2003.

One of the American hostages, Marc Gonsalves, is currently suffering from hepatitis, Pinchao told journalists on Wednesday. According to Lecompte, Pinchao said that in the shorter time he was with the Americans he did not see them being chained like Betancourt because none had attempted to escape.

© 2007 Miami Herald Media Company. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.miamiherald.com

-------------------------------------------------

We're with you President Uribe, the good and decent people of Colombia know that we have to take these FARC motherfuckers out, each and every single one of them!!

By Simon on May 18, 2007, 19:43 in Politics & the war.

billyb says on May 18, 2007, 21:51:

I'm with you Simon, as far as the commanders are... concerned, but I think most of the rank and file are just kids that just want to go home to their families. Just cut the head off and the rest will wither away.

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goin_south says on May 18, 2007, 23:04:

from what I have talked to Colombians... It's more like,..."without forcing kids to join and fight, by threatening to kill their parents and families, if they don't"... the FARC would have withered away long ago.

Not necessarily in support of Uribe, but while it is said that he has the broad general support of the population, I have never read that concerning las guerrillas. (I know they have some, but...)

Why Colombianitas? Personally... I just don't like pink areolar tissue.

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goin_south says on May 18, 2007, 23:06:

back to the article... Oh! So, finally, you're gonna go get those bastards, eh?
Whether or not this can or will be done, is another issue that has come and gone a 1000 X's on pbsh. Maybe we'll get a chance to see what the outcome might be now, eh?

VAMOS!

Why Colombianitas? Personally... I just don't like pink areolar tissue.

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goin_south says on May 18, 2007, 23:07:

They'll never get Betancourt out of the jungle alive. IMHO.

Why Colombianitas? Personally... I just don't like pink areolar tissue.

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lpdiver says on May 18, 2007, 23:32:

and now her radio will be confisticated if that was a true statement.

t

"cook some rice!"

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Miguel_Clavo says on May 19, 2007, 00:01:

FARC and AUC, with all their money, buy their suport and lots of people involuntarily support them out of fear......hardly, ideological supporters...

Just my opinion...

Miguel_Clavo =)..aka, DragonSlayer..2-0..Colombia es pasión!

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

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billyb says on May 19, 2007, 00:33:

A_veces, maybe that's what Elrey's, Ooops, I mean Kingof...'s, wife told him was the case???

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goin_south says on May 19, 2007, 01:42:

"The names have been changed... to protect the innocent" ;)

Why Colombianitas? Personally... I just don't like pink areolar tissue.

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juancegomez says on May 19, 2007, 12:31:

Of course FARC has a certain degree of support However, I would say that they likely represent the proportionally smallest "faction", by all indications, even if it's a varied one.

In certain areas of the country, in particular remote, rural, underdeveloped and underpopulated areas, FARC does have plenty of local support (whether voluntary or involuntary), both from people with historically pro-insurgent roots and from coca growers. That is undeniable. I wouldn't say that their "survival" can be explained due to this factor alone though, considering (among other things) the literal economic bonanza that kidnapping, "taxation" and drug-related activities have represented.

Of course, you can add to their support pool a few radical intellectuals and others to the mix, if you want.

If you'd ask me for a figure, it probably goes up to several hundred thousands of people, at least, if not to a million or so, at most. But these are just my estimates though, as nobody has really tried to measure this scientifically (and it probably can't be measured scientifically at this point). Some of you may want to consider smaller or larger figures, according to each person's subjectivity. It's a matter of opinion.

Still, while that may be the case, I would still say that the FARC aren't particularly popular as far as the majority of the population goes. FARC doesn't control any of the larger population centers, and in an increasingly urban country (more than 75%) their kidnappings, extortions and raids against towns and smaller cities haven't exactly created much widespread sympathy either. They do have some, of course, but it's not the same as it would have been, say, several decades ago.

That the worst aspects of FARC's activities aren't as regularly reported and commented right now as they would have been years ago doesn't mean that they've suddenly become something they're not. It's a sign of the relatively lower profile they have adopted and the partial weakening they have suffered in some areas.

As for the state (not Uribe, please do not equate the two), I'd say it's pretty clear that it is supported or at least *accepted* by a much larger proportion of the population, even if that doesn't mean that everyone has the same ideological or political beliefs. For example, the political opposition to Uribe doesn't support the FARC at all, for the most part, and it does see itself as a valid political actor within the state. Not as an entirely separate "faction".

The AUC do have some support of their own, of course, but it's also a certain kind of concentrated regional support, like that of FARC, evidently with several tentacles extending into political, economical or military spheres, but they're not that popular nationwide either. They're more of a parasite or a perversion than a completely separate "faction", to put it one way, though they also have their own ambitions and goals.

Evidently, these are just my 2 cents, so make of them what you will...

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goin_south says on May 19, 2007, 13:41:

I think... there are alot of single mothers in Colombia... Thousands and thousands,...who have beloved sons, and... aren't particularly fond of the prospects of involvement of those sons, with FARC. I think you can bank on that. (con BanColombia!)

Why Colombianitas? Personally... I just don't like pink areolar tissue.

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goin_south says on May 19, 2007, 13:44:

livefreeordie...I know a colombian who was held captive by ELN for a few days last year, and that colombian would rip you a new attitude about what you wrote or think about support for the guerrillas.

Why Colombianitas? Personally... I just don't like pink areolar tissue.

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007CA says on May 19, 2007, 18:03:

Betancourt's mother and husband strongly oppose military rescue President vows to free Betancourt
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has ordered the army to step up efforts to rescue former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt from rebel captors.
Ms Betancourt, a dual Colombian-French national, was seized by the rebel Farc guerrilla group in February 2002.

Mr Uribe pledged to release her and three Americans after a fellow hostage fled and detailed the harsh conditions they were kept in.

But Ms Betancourt's mother and husband both strongly oppose such action.

"It means death for Ingrid," said her mother, Yolanda Pulecio.

"We're sure that this order immediately means death for Ingrid and for everyone who's being held with her."

President Uribe spoke by telephone with France's new President Nicolas Sarkozy on Thursday, after he had heard details of the conditions in which Ms Betancourt is being held from escaped hostage Jhon Frank Pinchao.

"Generals, we are going to rescue Ingrid Betancourt!" the president announced.

"I urge you, let's rescue her! There'll be no more games with the Farc."

However, Mr Sarkozy reportedly favoured a negotiated solution.

'Treated like an animal'

Jhon Frank Pinchao said he spent 17 days lost in the jungle before he was found by an army patrol on Wednesday.

The policeman had been held hostage for nearly nine years.

He said he was held in a camp with three US intelligence agents and Ms Betancourt.

She had attempted to escape several times and had been "severely punished", Mr Pinchao said.

He met relatives of some of Farc's hostages from a hospital bed, where he was recovering from his ordeal.

Ms Betancourt's husband, Juan Carlos Lecompte, was among them, and told the Associated Press that Mr Pinchao said she was chained by the neck every night to prevent her from escaping.

"They're treating her like an animal," Mr Lecompte said.

"The guerrillas lie when they say they're treating women and prisoners humanely."

Mr Uribe, at a military ceremony, said Mr Pinchao's testimony "demonstrates that the Farc's concentration camps are more cruel than the concentration camps of the Nazis".

'Media show'

Relatives of the hostages have urged the army not to launch a rescue operation, fearing it could end in a bloodbath.

Some of Ms Betancourt's family met new French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Friday, after which the French government repeated that it was opposed to military action.

"That could put the lives of the hostages in danger," said a French foreign ministry spokesman.

Ingrid Betancourt's daughter, Melanie, said President Uribe's statement was a mere "media show".

"If you want to free someone by force, will you announce to the whole world?" she said.

"The first thing they will do is to execute their hostages."

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/6671667.stm

Published: 2007/05/19 01:59:54 GMT

© BBC MMVII

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goin_south says on May 19, 2007, 19:26:

Betancourt's mom and husband are against it, because they agree with what I said and for one in a million times, I Bet most here ON PBSH have to agree...THEY'LL NEVER GET BETANCOURT OUT OF THE JUNGLE ALIVE.

Why Colombianitas? Personally... I just don't like pink areolar tissue.

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Robert Jorge says on May 19, 2007, 22:06:

I hope your wrong elfeliz ... I mean feliz m.o.m. It is amazing what can be accomplished with the proper motivation ... and "help."

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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billyb says on May 19, 2007, 22:55:

I do have to agree with Livefree.... on the point that all social classes have to commit to the struggle and not just buy their way out of military service if they are wealthy enough to do it.

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goin_south says on May 19, 2007, 23:19:

Now, this sounds like the USA, and the 60's all over again.

Why Colombianitas? Personally... I just don't like pink areolar tissue.

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billyb says on May 19, 2007, 23:26:

Do you mean "I'm not some senator's son"?? ..or "not the fortunate one"?

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goin_south says on May 19, 2007, 23:31:

U R probably a Barry Bonds fan (same call letters: BB)
And, for that... I M sorry to NO U!
lol

Why Colombianitas? Personally... I just don't like pink areolar tissue.

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goin_south says on May 19, 2007, 23:59:

Where's Mike, when he's needed? Que Ciudad? VALLEDUPAR!!!

Why Colombianitas? Personally... I just don't like pink areolar tissue.

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billyb says on May 20, 2007, 00:02:

Not a Barry fan but..... I do think Clemens is getting a pass. Yup, where is Mikey?? Hopefully the the new reconstructed Paras in the Serania de Parija, now known as the "Aguilas Negras", didn't get ahold of him.

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goin_south says on May 20, 2007, 00:18:

I think he'd get along with who ever was .... 'about to intimidate 'm. para's, guerrillas, .... cualqiera.

Why Colombianitas? Personally... I just don't like pink areolar tissue.

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goin_south says on May 20, 2007, 00:19:

but,....it's kinda unusual not to hear from him here....about this time.

Why Colombianitas? Personally... I just don't like pink areolar tissue.

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Miguel_Clavo says on May 20, 2007, 01:00:

ever hear of the Stockholm Syndrome, or of Patty Hearst? "Of course, Feliz_mas_o_menos, anyone who was held captive by one of the armed groups is not going to be an enthusiast of that group. If anything the experience would make him or her a partisan for the opposing group."

Just my opinion...

Miguel_Clavo =)..aka, DragonSlayer..2-0..Colombia es pasión!

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

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goin_south says on May 20, 2007, 03:23:

Ingrid B? of Las Farc?
Patty?

Why Colombianitas? Personally... I just don't like pink areolar tissue.

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Robert Jorge says on May 20, 2007, 09:44:

Billyb, you don't have to be rich to buy your way out of military service in Colombia - depends on a few things. The buy out price is pretty affordable if the male is an only son, for example. This happened with Mrs. RJ's brother. The family lives in a rented estrato 2 house, and mom makes minimum wage doing nails and hairdews. Dad is not in the picture - different city, department ... but doesn't have any money or assets to speak of anyway.

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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Mr. Hollywood says on May 20, 2007, 21:14:

Someone tell me this isn't true... I can't believe someone as smart as Uribe would say that Pinchao's testimony "demonstrates that the FARC's concentration camps are more cruel than the concentration camps of the Nazis."

Let's see, the Nazis killed millions, performed cruel medical experiments, singled out people by race, religion and sexual preference, and built actual FACTORIES of death. The FARC are some really bad people but I missed the part where they did all of that.

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Sr Tertius says on May 20, 2007, 21:34:

Mr H. You can hear it yourself here. It's the third from top to bottom, but don't miss the other ones, they are full of jewels (keep some pepto-bismol handy, though).

I think Uribe is too smart to believe his own bullshit. But he knows that a good portion of his following is not that smart, unfortunately.

"When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb)

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goin_south says on May 21, 2007, 01:16:

I think with Sr Tertius.... that Uribe is trying to 'distance himself', with that statement.

Why Colombianitas? Personally... I just don't like pink areolar tissue.

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Mr. Hollywood says on May 22, 2007, 20:35:

Just noticed this... "Of course, Feliz_mas_o_menos, anyone who was held captive by one of the armed groups is not going to be an enthusiast of that group," Livefreeordie.

Livefreeordie, meet Platano. Platano, meet livefreeordie.

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