Betancourt Back in Colombia for Anti-FARC Tour

Ex-hostage aims to disarm rebels; some see only her ambition
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 30, 2008 6:04 PM CST
Betancourt Back in Colombia for Anti-FARC Tour
In this photo released by the Presidency of Colombia, Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe talks to Ingrid Betancourt during a meeting at a military airport in Bogota, Saturday, Nov. 29. 2008.    (AP Photo/Cesar Carrion)

Former FARC hostage Ingrid Betancourt returned to Colombia yesterday to kick off a tour aimed at getting the rebels to disarm, AFP reports. "I am so very happy to be here," said Betancourt, who has received death threats from FARC and will keep her Colombia visit brief. She met with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and is slated to meet Brazil's president on Friday.

Her trip comes on the heels of international protests against the rebels. Some Colombians, disappointed by Betancourt's quick departure to France after army commandos rescued her, are upset by her return. “We feel deeply for her six years of captivity, but she's using the issue as a political platform,” said the founder of an anti-FARC group.
(More Ingrid Betancourt stories.)

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