Betancourt shouts to rebels over loudspeakers
Enlarge imageBOGOTA (Reuters) - After six years in captivity, newly freed French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt launched a psychological campaign this week urging leftist rebels to stop fighting and release remaining hostages.
Her voice is being blared from army helicopter loudspeakers over the Colombian jungles where guerrillas still hold hundreds of captives for ransom and political leverage.
"Hey guerrillas, I’m Ingrid Betancourt. I want you to recover your liberty like I have. I’m waiting for you!" she shouts in one of the recordings, which includes Colombian pop star Shakira singing her hit "Estoy Aqui" or "I’m Here."
Betancourt, 46, was snatched by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, during her 2002 presidential campaign. She was freed last week when Colombian intelligence officers duped the guerrillas into releasing her and 14 other captives, including three American defence contractors.
A record 1,600 rebels have deserted so far this year according to the government, as President Alvaro Uribe uses billions of dollars in U.S. aid to push the guerrillas onto the defensive. (Reporting by Alisha Laventure; Editing by Hugh Bronstein)
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BOGOTA (Reuters) - After six years in captivity, newly freed French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt launched a psychological campaign this week urging leftist rebels to stop fighting and release remaining hostages.
Her voice is being blared from army helicopter loudspeakers over the Colombian jungles where guerrillas still hold hundreds of captives for ransom and political leverage.
"Hey guerrillas, I’m Ingrid Betancourt. I want you to recover your liberty like I have. I’m waiting for you!" she shouts in one of the recordings, which includes Colombian pop star Shakira singing her hit "Estoy Aqui" or "I’m Here."
Betancourt, 46, was snatched by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, during her 2002 presidential campaign. She was freed last week when Colombian intelligence officers duped the guerrillas into releasing her and 14 other captives, including three American defence contractors.
A record 1,600 rebels have deserted so far this year according to the government, as President Alvaro Uribe uses billions of dollars in U.S. aid to push the guerrillas onto the defensive. (Reporting by Alisha Laventure; Editing by Hugh Bronstein)
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