Betancourt sues Commandos who risked their lives to save her

Colombians are outraged at the news that former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt is going to sue their country for a whopping $7 million for being kidnapped. “It’s like a Colombian soap opera come to life,” Bogota Free Planet (BFP) publisher Jorge Luis Pardo told Canada Free Press (CFP) this morning. “She is suing the very people who put their lives at risk to save her.” Soon after her release, Betancourt divorced her husband and departed for France where she was feted by President Nicolas Sarkozy as a France and Colombia dual citizen.

On Feb. 23, 2002, Betancourt ignored all warnings going into areas of Colombia known for their strong FARC presence to campaign as president. Held hostage by the Marxist guerrillas of FARC, Betancourt was one of 15 people set free in a high-profile helicopter mission on July 2, 2008 when Colombian commandos deftly and daringly posed as humanitarian and aid workers to free the hostages. Freed in the rescue mission were three U.S. military contractors and 11 Colombian police officers and soldiers. More... UPDATE: July 11, 2009

Ex-hostage Betancourt 'will not sue' Colombian state

Former Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt, held by Farc rebels for six years, has insisted she will not sue the Colombian state for damages. Ms Betancourt was speaking after a wave of criticism in Colombia over reports that she was seeking $6.8m (£4.5m) in damages for her time as a hostage. Her aim in filing for compensation was to help other ex-hostages, she said. Officials voiced surprise at her move, noting that troops risked their lives to rescue her in 2008. More...

Judi McLeod——Bio and Archives -- Judi McLeod, Founder, Owner and Editor of Canada Free Press, is an award-winning journalist with more than 30 years’ experience in the print and online media. A former Toronto Sun columnist, she also worked for the Kingston Whig Standard. Her work has appeared throughout the ‘Net, including on Rush Limbaugh and Fox News.