Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Disorganized Rebels Duped By Hostage Rescuers

'Movie-plot' op exploited reb chaos

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 4, 2008 2:15 AM CDT

(Newser) – The Colombian military's daring rescue of FARC guerilla hostages relied on increasing disarray within the rebel ranks, the New York Times reports. Latin America's longest-running insurgency has suffered a near-total communications breakdown in recent months. With the command structure in chaos and rebels depending on "medieval" communications methods, the time was right for the army to pounce.

Agents trained as actors and briefed on the local commander's psychological weaknesses rushed in and turned captors into captives without firing a shot. "There were a lot of people crossing their fingers,” an American official said. “More than one person who looked at this said, ‘My God, this looks like a movie plot.'" Many think the bold rescue of its best-known hostages will now accelerate FARC's disintegration.

The commander of Colombia's Army, Gen. Mario Montoya, front, gestures in front of rescued hostages as they arrive to a military base in Bogota.
The commander of Colombia's Army, Gen. Mario Montoya, front, gestures in front of rescued hostages as they arrive to a military base in Bogota.   (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
 Timoleon Jimenez, a senior FARC commander,  announces the death of FARC leader Manuel Marulanda in this file photo. FARC has lost many top commanders in recent months and desertions are mounting.
Timoleon Jimenez, a senior FARC commander, announces the death of FARC leader Manuel Marulanda in this file photo. FARC has lost many top commanders in recent months and desertions are mounting.   (AP Photo/William Fernando Martinez)
FARC rebels  arrested by army officers during the rescue of  15 hostages are escorted by military police at a military base in Bogota.
FARC rebels arrested by army officers during the rescue of 15 hostages are escorted by military police at a military base in Bogota.   (AP Photo/William Fernando Martinez)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Bookish Past Might Not Help Rebel Leader

Sun Setting on FARC Rebellion

Colombian Rebel Leader Rumored Dead

Sarko: Betancourt Near Death

Chavez Freezes Out Colombia


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne