FARC

FARC rebels release proof-of-life videos of 10 hostages

Sophie Team Observers — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 10:53:25 +0200

Colombian television aired videos of 10 soliders and policemen that have been held by FARC rebels in a jungle camp for as long as 11 years. The men, chained by the neck as they face the camera, send messages of love to their families and thank those working to liberate them.

The tapes were recovered over the weekend from a FARC operative before he was arrested by authorities. The proof-of-life videos were filmed by the guerrillas to increase pressure on the Colombian government.

Ingrid Betancourt's release, filmed by the Farc

Sophie Team Observers — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:46:57 +0200

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!"

See the version of the release that's we've seen until now.

Ingrid's liberation seen from Bogota: "The whole room was cheering"

Sophie Team Observers — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:47:08 +0200

Update (07/07/08): Below, a video released by the Colombian army on Friday which has caused controversy.

When the Colombian authorities announced that Ingrid Betancourt had been freed, one of our Observers was travelling through Bogota airport. He tells us about the wave of emotion that followed the news as it spread through the crowds.

Chavez, Uribe and Correa: let the battle begin

Julien — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 19:48:44 +0100

Since the Colombian army marched into Ecuador to kill the FARC rebel group's number two Raul Reyes, a three-way brawl has erupted between presidents Chavez, Correa and Uribe.

Ecuador was outraged when the Colombian army marched over the border -seemingly overlooking territorial integrity- and so was Venezuela, who has accused the Colombian president of spoiling negotiations with the FARC over the release of hostages. The two countries lined troops along the Colombian border and withdrew their ambassadors from Bogota. It didn't take long for Colombian president Alvaro Uribe to fire back, saying that documents obtained during the intervention prove that Rafael Correa and Hugo Chavez have been directly supporting the FARC and had given the rebel group a huge financial donation.

Material compiled with the help of our Observer in Argentina, Johana Kunin.

Anti-Farc protest organised on Facebook unites at least two million Colombians

Julien — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 16:33:25 +0100

Two million people got together in Bogota on Monday to voice the same message: ‘say no to the Farc'. Our Observer, who attended the event, says that it will renew the ‘collective memory' of the country.

Statement from the father of one of the FARC hostages

Julien — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 13:58:15 +0100

Will they stay or will they go? While everyone eagerly awaits the liberation of Clara Rojas, her son Emmanuel and the former lawmaker Consuelo González Pérdomo, our Observers report on the atmosphere in Colombia. The father of hostage Ismael Márquez hopes that the release of some of the prisoners will speed up the process for his son, who’s been held captive since 1999. Meanwhile, Ingrid Betancourt's stepson reminds us that as the FARC’s most high-profile hostage, she will be the last to leave.

Finally, proof of life

Julien — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 11:50:00 +0100

By Team Observers

The Colombian government has just issued the first images of the French-Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt since 2003. For her distraught family, the images are proof that Betancourt, who was captured by FARC rebels in Feb. 2003, is still alive. The Colombian government said the video was taken from three FARC guerillas captured by the army. For more information go to France 24.

Colombian Senator Piedad Cordoba, ally of Hugo Chavez

Julien — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 12:33:42 +0100

Material compiled by our regional editor for South America, Cristiano de Sa Fagundes

To negotiate the fate of the FARC hostages - including French-Colombian citizen Ingrid Betancourt - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez relied on the contacts of Colombian Senator Piedad Cordoba. The Chavez-Cordoba relationship and their intervention in the hostage case sparked heated online discussions in the two countries. And the decision to put an end to the negotiations by the Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has only fuelled the debate.