According to Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos in his Bogota news conference, Colombia infiltrated FARC's 1st Squad and Secretariat. How that infitration contributed to the commando operation was not specified, beyond apparently providing the geographic location of the hostages. Whatever the mechanism -- government agents run inside FARC? -- Colombian intelligence tricked the FARC into believing that the hostages, who had been divided in three groups by the FARC, should be brought together in a single group to be handed over to FARC leader Alfonso Cano for a possible diplomatic, negotiated solution to the hostage crisis that would achieve FARC political objectives. As a result, FARC's high command agreed to travel with the hostages as a means of transferring them to Cano on a helicopter that actually belonged to the Colombian military and was actually manned by Colombian intelligence personnel.Posted by Kate at July 3, 2008 12:13 AMAccording to Minister Santos, not only were all of the hostages safely rescued, but two senior FARC officials and some 15 other FARC soldiers were arrested in the process, also without violence.
Shows what happens when you "FARC" around with Thugo Chavez.
Posted by: a different Bob at July 3, 2008 12:47 AMStories like this make my heart soar. Nice to see a good news story like this -- real people, real heroes, real courage. God bless those that planned this and pulled it off.
Posted by: Colin at July 3, 2008 1:33 AMColombian.
and at http://www.babalublog.com scroll down to
"What do Barak Obama's supporters and the Colombian military have in common? it's at 10.23 pm today... Che Che Che...
and at http://therealcuba.com a different take on how long it's taken for Che to finally do something good... Che Che Che...
the Colombian army members had Che t shirts on to... "blend in" with the terrorists.
no shots fired, no physical injuries (does hurt pride count outside of a CHRC?) and how does one make a military movie without blood?
hmmmm.... do we know of any current US presidential candidates that seem to hold Che Che Che in high regard?
Posted by: marc in calgary at July 3, 2008 1:39 AMAt face value, an incredibly dangerous and courageous effort by the Colombian intelligence operatives and pilots involved in the mission.
All credit for an heroic and brilliantly executed mission that had enormous risks involved.
FARC must be turning itself inside out looking for the Moles.
Posted by: Kev of Sydney at July 3, 2008 3:54 AMThis is how one wears a disguise in such circumstances:
"The pilots, she said, were posing as members of a relief organization, but "they were dressed like clowns," wearing Che Guevara shirts, so she assumed they were rebels."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25499926/
Good thing the NYT didn't get a clue about this or it would have been published in the paper.
Perhaps Canada and the US could take lessons on intelligence operations.
Well said, MaryT!
Posted by: Dave in Pa. at July 3, 2008 1:22 PMGotta love the cajones of these guys.
This will be a movie next year I'll bet.
Posted by: Anthony Watts at July 3, 2008 3:08 PM
Some how or another, I firmly believe this should have been kept secret.
Now, FARC, will clean house.
But, oh alas, Good Job Guys.
,
Hugo will be wearing this one for awhile. Washington ally Uribe just rubbed a mud pie in Hugo's face.
Looks good on ya, Hugo!
Posted by: felis corpulentis at July 3, 2008 5:59 PM