Cooperation Between U.S., Colombia, and FARC Suspected in the Release of Ingrid Betancourt

The Colombian Attorney General, Viviane Morales, is to investigate the accusations that the U.S. and Colombia made secret negotiations to secure the release of Ingrid Betancourt and the other hostages including 3 American citizens. The official story is that the Colombian military successfully carried out Operación Jaque which involved deceiving the 2 FARC guerillas holding the people hostage. This controversy began in February when the Colombian press revealed information from Wikileaks which described an agreement for $100 million dollars for the hostages’ freedom. Also revealed through Wikileaks was information that one of the guerillas, alias César, made an agreement that he would be able to move to France with his family. He was ultimately sentenced to 20 years of prison for trafficking narcotics, but it is unknown whether he or “Gafas,” the other guerilla, remains in prison. Read Article