The videocassette and archive pictures of Ingid The cassette was recorded on May 15th, and released by the FARCs to the media on July 23d. RtbF : video MPEG 4 High bandwidth RtbF : video MPEG 4 Lower bandwith RtbF : video Real video
Communiqué by Ingrid's family

Extracts :

"Here, in the forest, in the silence and far away, I ponder this question: how was it possible for 150 foreign journalists to reach San Vicente in total safety while a presidential candidate was denied that right! What exactly are the priorities of this government? What is the policy of the State regarding safety and electoral guarantees ?"

"I request of the international community that it help us save at least the possibility of peace in Colombia. Nobody, nobody in Colombia, may barricade the road to peace, the way of dialogue, and simply toss the key into the sea. Nobody has that right; nobody has that authority."

"I suffer to see that in Colombia there are those who would close our hearts, harden our spirits, that explain to us that with abductions, the only solution is to wait and do nothing, as if human life did not count."

"I do not request a prisoner exchange, neither for me nor for the other abducted people. This is a decision by the government. The government must remain free, and it must not be subject to blackmail or pressure that influences its decisions. But what I do not accept as a Colombian is abandonment by the Colombian State."

Communiqué by Ingrid's Family :

It is of course with immense relief that we learnt of Ingrid's statement filmed by the F.A.R.C.

We would like in particular to thank all those people devoted to the Colombian peace cause, who have enabled us to obtain, via this film, proof that Ingrid and Clara Rojas, her campaign manager, are alive. We would also like to take this opportunity to reiterate our profound admiration for the exceptional courage of Clara who without a moment's hesitation chose to remain with Ingrid following her abduction on February 23, 2002.

We believe the transmission of this message to be a sign of hope. For the first time since the abduction, the kidnappers have given us a real indication that future dialogue might be possible. We channel all our efforts in hope of this, because for Ingrid's family and for Clara's, and for all the families of those being held captive, every additional day of captivity is one more day of anxiety and suffering.

In view of the moral and physical strain that Ingrid has endured, we are overjoyed to see her express her political statement with such clarity and conviction.

Together with the families of all those held hostage in Colombia, we condemn the use of kidnapping for political ends as it contradicts the most basic principles of human rights. Indeed, in her statement Ingrid stresses the importance for restoring conditions favorable to the reopening of a dialogue between all the participants in the conflict in Columbia. A return to the negotiating table is the only viable way to achieve peace.

As Ingrid points out, "No one in Colombia has the right or the authority to shut the door and throw away the key on the peace process." Despite the difficulty of her own situation, Ingrid urges her compatriots and the International Community to "refuse to be submerged by the current storm and instead to rise high above the waves in order to contemplate the calm of the sea, the immense prospect of peace".

We implore the new head of the Colombian Government, President Uribe, the F.A.R.C. and the International Community, to quickly reach a humane agreement for the release of all the hostages.

Lastly, we reaffirm along with Ingrid and Clara, our faith and hope in the "New Colombia", land of peace and promise.

The family of Ingrid Betancourt