Ingrid Betancourt

On Sunday, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) runs a series called Sunday Passionate Eye, which features documentaries that typically last for two hours. This past Sunday's documentary was The Kidnapping of Ingrid Betancourt.

I am drawn to people who are passionate and principled, and Ingrid Betancourt is both. She is an extremely courageous woman who set out to change Colombia's political landscape. As she was campaigning for presidency on February 23, 2002, FARC (Revolutionary Armed Force of Colombia) kidnapped her and Clara Rojas, her campaign manager. Both are still being held.

This documentary saddened me on a few different levels. First, as a mother and wife, her family needs her. Her children have not seen their mother for nearly four years. Second, she is a revolutionary who is willing to stand against corruption. Had she been elected President of Colombia she may have accomplished remarkable changes. Instead, we will never know her true potential and how it may have helped Colombia. Third, she might have led a path for change in the region. Often models for change start in the most unlikeliest of places and then spread outward. And fourth, she is a person who gave much of herself, perhaps too much so, and it has cost her and her family. She placed herself in harm's way to create a better Colombia. I like to see good triumph over evil, but so far evil is doing a remarkable job. I hope that good triumphs before too much longer.

Here are a few websites you might wish to visit to learn more:

• Mother of two, long time corruption fighter, kidnapped;
  • Latest News;
• Wikipedia: Ingrid Betancourt;
• The kidnapping of Ingrid Betancourt; and,
• Official Site of Ingrid Betancourt (French and Spanish).

I hope the world does not forget her, Clara, and three thousand others that are held by FARC. And I hope that she and Clara are released soon.