Colombia Rescues Betancourt, 3 US Hostages
French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt, three Americans, and 11 other hostages held for years in jungle captivity were rescued on Wednesday, July 2, 2008, from leftist guerrillas by Colombian troops posing as aid workers. Betancourt, 46, was the highest profile captive held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as the FARC. A former presidential candidate, her dual French-Colombian nationality had helped bring world attention to the plight of hostages held by the rebels.