FARC Captive Recalls Horror of Jungle Birth

Rojas gave birth in captivity, then had son taken away

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 26, 2009 11:01 AM CDT

(Newser) – Clara Rojas was one of many prisoners who endured the misery of the Colombian jungle during her 6 years as a hostage of the FARC. But in 2003 her ordeal became almost unbearable: She discovered she was pregnant by one of her captors. "I knew I could die," said Rojas, who describes the 36-hour jungle birth of her son, Emmanuel, in an interview with the Sunday Times.

Rojas had lost so much weight in the jungle that she had to deliver her child by caesarean section, helped by a nurse whose only experience was with cows. At 8 months her son was taken from her, and in desperation she went on multiple hunger strikes. Freed in 2008, she was reunited with Emmanuel and is trying to live a normal life. "Of course I don't justify kidnapping, but I have to forgive," said Rojas. "I believe in its healing power."

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Clara Rojas, the hostage released by leftist rebels, with her son at a foster home in Bogota last year. (AP Photo/Family Welfare Institute, HO)

Former hostage Clara Rojas signs books during the launch of her book "Cautiva," in Madrid, earlier this week. Rojas was a hostage of rebels of the FARC for six years. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)

Former hostage Clara Rojas poses during the launch of her book "Cautiva," or Captive, in Madrid earlier this week. Rojas was a hostage of FARC rebels for six years. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)

Clara Rojas, who was held hostage for more than six years by rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia attends a mass. (AP Photo/Christian Escobar Mora)

Clara Rojas, one of two hostages freed after years held captive by Colombian rebels, waves upon her arrival in Bogota, last year. (AP Photo/William Fernando Martinez)

Clara Rojas, an aide to Ingrid Betancourt, is released from by rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) at an unknown location in southern Colombia last year. (AP Photo/Telesur)

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I’m a bit jealous when people hug him or kiss him. But that’s normal, isn’t it? Sometimes when people in the street cuddle him I think —I’m just kidding—that he should wear a T-shirt: ‘Don’t touch, just look.’ - Clara Rojas, former FARC hostage

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FARC Captive Recalls Horror of Jungle Birth