Colombia's Ingrid Betancourt marks 2008 Farc escape
French-Colombian politician Ingrid
Betancourt has marked five years
since her release by Farc militants by
appealing for peace in Colombia.
Ms Betancourt, who was held for more
than six years in the jungle, said she
thinks about her ordeal every day.
"It is not a secret that wars are good
business for many," she told BBC
Mundo.
"This is what we are facing today in
Colombia, but we need to convince each
other that the best business for the
country is peace."
Ms Betancourt was one of 15 hostages
freed by Colombian soldiers on 2 July
2008.
Soldiers tricked the rebels into handing
over the hostages by masquerading as
members of a humanitarian group that
had volunteered to fly them by
helicopter to a new location
She had been a presidential candidate at
the time of her kidnapping in early 2002.
For years, she was the left-wing rebel
group's most high-profile captive.
"I think every day about what I went
through," she said.
"There are times when I feel grateful of
having had such and experience, but
there are other times when it is a
burden.
"The death of my father, whilst I was in
captivity, still hurts a lot. Also not having
been able to see my children grow up."
