Lucia Nieto, the psychologist from the association Pays Libre*, has analysed the demeanour shown by the Colombian citizen, Ingrid Betancourt in the video showing several hostages held by FARC, to interpret for us what the silence of the former Senator really signifies as she is videoed by her kidnappers.

“In refusing to look at the camera, Ingrid did not wish to be seen as a mother, wife, or daughter. She wanted to be seen as an anonymous female kidnap victim from Colombia, so that on seeing her we would think of all the hostages.”

“Her stillness shows that she is courageous, that there is hope, but also sorrow and suffering.”

“Her bowed body shows the pressure she is under, the sadness she feels for her country and the sorrow she feels again as she remembers the physical trauma of her kidnapping.”

“The deliberate manner in which she shows her long hair uncovered tells us that Ingrid wants to remind us that time is passing, cruelly wasted, without any real resolution.”

“Despite limits placed on her personal freedom, her dignified attitude, hands crossed in repose, shows that she has kept all her dignity and her strength as a female activist, who is intent on struggling for her country’s sake.”

* The organisation Pais Libre (Free Country), is a non -governmental organisation in Colombia set up in 1991 at the instigation of Francisco Santos, now Colombia’s Vice-President, who, following his kidnapping lasting 8 months, had appealed to the people about the problem of kidnappings. The association gives free aid and full assistance to all victims, affected directly or indirectly by hostage taking, attacks or forced displacement.