Monday, July 28, 2008

Ingrid Betancourt

ingrid-betancourt-with-her-mother_free.jpg

 I find this story just fascinating!  Ingrid was running for President of Columbia when she and her campaign manager, Clara Rojas, were kidnapped by a revolutionary group.   She was held for 6 years in the Columbian jungle.  She and several other hostages (including 3 Americans) were rescued earlier this July by the Columbian Army.  That in itself is interesting enough but here is the really fascinating part.
Clara Rojas was told a few days into her captivity that she could be freed but she refused to leave Ingrid.  Clara remained in captivity for 5 years and gave birth to a baby fathered by one of their captors.  She has since said that she was not raped.  
Ingrid was noticeably cold to her husband upon their reunion and flew to France without him within days of being released.  Her husband has said that their love may died in the jungle.  It is rumored that Ingrid and a fellow captive started a romance while living and hiding in the jungle.  They even managed to escape for a few days but had to turn themselves in when his diabetes caused complications. 
I can't wait for her to write a book!

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