A Colombian
TV channel has broadcast a video of Ingrid Betancourt's rescue from the other
side of the operation. When the helicopter takes off, the Farc cameraman, unaware
of the trick that's just been played on him, is pleased to find that the fake
humanitarian workers have left... a box of beer.
The video
was obtained exclusively by the Colombian channel Noticias Uno. The guerrillas, who talk about the
hostages' departure in good humour, have no idea that they've just taken part in
one of the Farc's biggest ever setbacks.
The
footage, filmed on a digital camera by a guerrilla, covers the whole rescue
operation. As the first helicopter arrives, members of the Colombian Special Forces, disguised
as the Red Cross, disembark. A second helicopter hovers above at the point
where the hostages are exchanged. It was presented as a spare transporter for
the hostages in case of emergency, when in reality it was full of Colombian
soldiers ready to intervene (0.43'). The two sides then meet, and the guerrillas
agree to be interviewed by fake Telesur journalists
(2.37'). And finally, Betancourt's helicopter flies away.
At the end
of the video, the guerrilla says "the comrades have gone man". Another
Farc responds: "you know what he said to me, the guy from the Red Cross? He
said 'take this as a little present' [the pack of beers left by the fake aid
workers]. Goodbye comrades!"