Silly Little Country

Hostage-O-Rama

Nights in airport hotels are usually dull things; I have just been undergoing one at the behest of a very generous Air Canada (it was entirely voluntary on my part - Air Canada's persuasive skills were impressive).

Last night proved to be absolutely delightful, as CNN played Alvaro Uribe's hostage festival through the Central European Time evening, a festival held on the occasion of the rescue (I note the word 'release' is occasionally used, but this word misleadingly suggests good behaviour on the part of FARC) of 15 hostages from FARC custody, including Ingrid Betancourt.

This is a great triumph for relative law and order, and a magnificent and well-deserved humiliation for the FARC.

Even Sarko got some air time with the Betancourt family.

In the end it appears this Colombian sting makes FARC look as stupid and puffed up as I imagine their leaders generally are.

It has been moving hearing from the hostages and from the military leaders. The raid/rescue was a marvelous operation, and I am sure we will learn a lot more over the next few days. For now, there is a very nice description of some initial understanding of what happened.

Labels: Betancourt, FARC, Uribe

posted by Alan Adamson @ 12:47 AM