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The rescue of several high-profile hostages by Colombian forces is a huge boost for the government in its struggle against Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

Colombian armed forces have rescued Ingrid Betancourt, three U.S. hostages and 11 captured Colombian soldiers after years of captivity by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Colombian Minister of Defense Juan Manuel Santos announced July 2. The hostages appear to have been rescued while being transported by FARC members to an alternate location on the orders of rebel leader Alfonso Cano.

The development is a huge boost for Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Velez, who has waged a stunningly successful campaign against the FARC.

Betancourt is a French-Colombian citizen and former candidate for president. She has been in captivity for six years, and was the FARC’s highest-priority captive and main bargaining chip. The rescued Americans, who also have been in captivity for years, were captured when their plane crashed in 2003 while they worked as security contractors for the U.S. Defense Department.

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