Fifteen FARC Hostages Freed
By BigGator5 Posted in Breaking News — Comments (5) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Did FARC let them go? Was there a gun battle that killed many? Did the Colombian government give into the terrorist's demands?
I am happy to say that none of the above took place. In fact Juan Manuel Santos, Colombia's Defence Minister has hail the rescue as "an unprecedented operation. It will go down in history for its audaciousness and effectiveness."
The Colombian military tricked FARC into handing over the hostages:
It emerged that commandoes had managed to trick the rebels into handing over the hostages.
A government agent managed to infiltrate the rebel group, apparently earning their trust, paving the way for the rescue.
Undercover Colombian commandoes flew to the jungle camp in a civilian helicopter, claiming to be from a fictitious non-government organisation.
They claimed they had orders to fly the hostages by helicopter to a camp to meet with rebel leader Alfonso Cano.
"The helicopters, which in reality were from the army, picked up the hostages in Guaviare and flew them to freedom," Mr Santos said.
Score one (or fifteen, hehe) for the good guys!
Most importantly, the three American hostages has been freed.
The three American hostages rescued from the leftist guerillas have arrived safely in Texas and have been taken to hospital where they are expected to reunite with their families and undergo tests and treatment.
The US military contractors - Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes and Keith Stansell - were held for five years by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
On seeing his son arrive on American soil on television, George Gonsalves said: "Marc looks, he looks pretty thin. Not to mention he looks completely exhausted. But he's alive."
US President George W. Bush congratulated Bogota on the releases, telling Colombian President Alvaro Uribe he was a "strong leader", while French President Nicolas Sarkozy also thanked Mr Uribe and called on the FARC to end their "absurd" struggle.
Congrats to all the hostages and to Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, who has dealt another huge blow to the terrorist group FARC. I guess we no longer need Chavez's help.
Unfortunately, this type of op generally only works once. The odds are even worse when the strategy is highly publicized.
Still, it's always a good day when the good guys win!
Smaller Government! Lower Taxes! Stronger Defense! More Liberty!
Still, it's always a good day when the good guys win!
Yes it is.
I think the fact that tomorrow is Independence Day is kind of poetic, no?
"Wise men learn more from fools, than fools from the wise." -Fortune Cookie
and isn't this part of the money the Democrats are blocking in Congress for Columbia?
free trade status. They are holding up the Columbia Free Trade Agreement which was signed by the President (as of this posting) 590 days ago and has cost the U.S. over $1BB (estimated). The congressional hold up is a smack in the face of a country that wants to be our friends.
McCain for POTUS so the left can't ruin SCOTUS.
An additional shout-out to my brothers in the 7th SFG who undoubted provided training and guidance...