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FARC Hostage Near Death in Jungle

Former presidential candidate gravely ill, says released captive

By Caroline Zimmerman,  Newser User

Posted Feb 28, 2008 8:21 PM CST
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(Newser) – A high-profile hostage still held by Colombian rebels is near death because of mistreatment and a lack of medicine, a former fellow captive said today. Ingrid Betancourt, seized by FARC rebels six years ago while campaigning for the presidency, is sick with hepatitis and liver problems, says Luis Eladio Perez, one of four hostages released yesterday. "It breaks my heart to have left her behind," he said.

Perez said he and Betancourt tried to escape two years ago but gave themselves up after five days in the jungle, Reuters reports. Rebels chained them to trees as punishment and took away their boots. "For FARC, Ingrid is the golden treasure in this wretched process," Perez said. Betancourt´s last words to him were, "Enjoy, enjoy every minute of your freedom," he said.

Juan Carlos Lecompte, left, husband of kidnapped politician Ingrid Betancourt, and his mother-in-law Yolanda Pulecio attend a mass in Betancourt's honor in Bogota, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008, as a cutout image of Betancourt is seen at center. The mass was held to mark the sixth anniversary of her kidnapping by...
Juan Carlos Lecompte, left, husband of kidnapped politician Ingrid Betancourt, and his mother-in-law Yolanda Pulecio attend a mass in Betancourt's honor in Bogota, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008, as a cutout...   (Associated Press)
Ingrid Betancourt's son Lorenzo reacts during a press conference in Paris, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008. Four FARC hostages were released Wednesday and flown to Venezuela after six years of captivity. Two of them appealed for Betancourt's release, saying she was very ill. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Ingrid Betancourt's son Lorenzo reacts during a press conference in Paris, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008. Four FARC hostages were released Wednesday and flown to Venezuela after six years of captivity. Two...   (Associated Press)
This photo released by the Colombia's government Friday, Nov. 30, 2007, shows former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt. (AP Photo/Colombia's Presidency)
This photo released by the Colombia's government Friday, Nov. 30, 2007, shows former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt. (AP Photo/Colombia's Presidency)   (Associated Press)
Ingrid Betancourt's son Lorenzo, left, his father, Fabrice Delloye, and Consuelo Gonzalez, a former Colombian congresswoman who was held hostage by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, react during the press conference in Paris, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008. Four FARC hostages were released Wednesday and flown to Venezuela...
Ingrid Betancourt's son Lorenzo, left, his father, Fabrice Delloye, and Consuelo Gonzalez, a former Colombian congresswoman who was held hostage by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC,...   (Associated Press)
Fabrice Delloye, right, comforts Consuelo Gonzalez, a former Colombian congresswoman who was held hostage by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, as she cries during the press conference in Paris, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008. Four FARC hostages were released Wednesday and flown to Venezuela after six years of...
Fabrice Delloye, right, comforts Consuelo Gonzalez, a former Colombian congresswoman who was held hostage by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, as she cries during the press conference...   (Associated Press)
A giant poster of kidnapped French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt is displayed on the facade of a building in Nice, southern France, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008. The poster marks the sixth anniversary of her kidnapping by rebels from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau)
A giant poster of kidnapped French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt is displayed on the facade of a building in Nice, southern France, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008. The poster marks the sixth anniversary...   (Associated Press)
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Sarkozy pledges to go to Colombia to secure Betancourt's release
Telegraph (UK)

More on Betancourt
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Nicolas Sarkozy • Colombia • FARC • Hugo Chávez • Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia • Ingrid Betancourt • jungle • Luis Eladio Perez • hostage

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