Possible Release Of Ingrid Betancourt

Slightly over two years ago, I wrote a brief article about a documentary shown on Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) concerning the kidnapping of Ingrid Betancourt.

I noticed today on the BBC New website an article that Hugo Chavez, the president of Venezuela, might play an instrumental role securing her release.

Mr Chavez repeated his conviction despite the lack of proof that Ms Betancourt, kidnapped in February 2002, was still alive.

"Ingrid is alive. I'm absolutely certain," Mr Chavez said.

"We will do everything humanly possible to achieve (her) release and not only hers, but the release of all the candidates."

Despite my misgivings toward Chavez's leadership of Venezuela, I applaud his work toward freeing Colombian hostages. I hope he is correct that Ingrid Betancourt is alive. According to the article, FARC is supposed to provide evidence by yearend that the hostages are alive. And one can hope that the freeing of the hostages can lead to further improvements.