COLOMBIA: Colombia's government says it will release hundreds of guerilla fighters in exchange for the release of hostage Ingrid Betancourt

Record ID: 1540378

  • Title: COLOMBIA: Colombia's government says it will release hundreds of guerilla fighters in exchange for the release of hostage Ingrid Betancourt
  • Date: 28th March 2008
  • Summary: (BN05) BOGOTA, COLOMBIA (FILE) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF JAILED REBELS EXERCISING
  • Embargoed: 12th April 2008 13:11
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Colombia
  • Country: Colombia
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement
  • Reuters ID: LVA1NY8WZHN5E5T1YUQPT5A887LD
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: Colombia's government says it will release hundreds of guerilla fighters in exchange for the release of hostage Ingrid Betancourt.
    Colombia will immediately free hundreds of guerrilla fighters in exchange for the release of politician Ingrid Betancourt, who is in ill health after being held hostage for years by the rebels, the government said on Thursday (March 27).
    President Alvaro Uribe signed a decree late on Thursday allowing the massive release of guerrillas from jail if French-Colombian Betancourt, kidnapped during her 2002 presidential campaign and ailing from hepatitis B, be set free, Peace Commissioner Luis Carlos Restrepo told reporters.

    "The government has joined the national and international cry that the life of Ingrid Betancourt be saved. We cannot run risks in this case and there is no more time to wait," Restrepo said.
    Earlier on Thursday Colombian human rights ombudsman Wolmar Perez said Betancourt's health is "very, very delicate".
    Reports received by Perez's office say Betancourt appears malnourished and her skin is raw with infected insect bites. He said she suffers from hepatitis B and had been brought by the FARC last month to be treated at first aid stations in jungle towns controlled by the guerrillas.
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