A year after her liberation by the Colombian army, Ingrid Betancourt urges the international community to “go beyond the possible “ to have those still held hostage released by the guerrillas.

“It’s a year ago today since I was freed with my fellow hostages, after more than six years in captivity. On the occasion of this happy anniversary, I want to give thanks to God”, the former candidate to the Colombian presidency said in a statement.

Held since February 2002 by FARC, Ingrid Betancourt was freed on 2 July 2008, with three Americans and 11 soldiers by a special unit of the Colombian army posing as employees of an NGO.

In her statement, she pays tribute to the soldiers who freed her and thanks” those at the highest level of the Colombian and French governments without who help nothing would have been possible”.

“I do not forget the Heads of State in Latin – America, who contributed to this release(…) Neither do I forget the media who published information about my captivity”, she writes.

“This date gives me the opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to them and that of my family. I want them to know they are loved and have a place in our hearts with all the tenderness of our new -found happiness”.

“MOVE THE MOUNTAINS OF APATHY”

“And through this network of support that unites us, may we be able to find the power to change the dreaded fate of those still held prisoner”, she continues.

“Yes, we must do more. Pablo Emilio Moncayo and 21 of my fellow hostages expect miracles from us”, she adds referring to the fate of Moncayo, a soldier held by FARC since the end of 1997, and whose release the rebels announced in April.

“Because what is possible from us is not enough, we must go beyond the possible. It is by uniting our energies, our prayers, our thoughts that we will be able to move the mountain of apathy and oblivion. I know that I can continue to count on this”, Ingrid Betancourt concludes.

The former Senator, who lives mainly in Europe, went on a tour of Latin America last November with the aim of encouraging talks leading to the release of hostage still held by FARC.

FARC, who released their last political hostage, in February, have expressed their willingness on several occasions to free other hostages in exchange for several of their members held in government jails.

The rebel group wants to re-open talks with the authorities but President Uribe demands they finish their bombing, kidnapping and drug trafficking.

At the height of their control, the Colombian rebels ruled a significant section of the national territory but they have since lost ground due to Uribe’s policies, supported by the USA. Three of their leaders died last year and increasing rates of desertions have affected their ranks.

“MORE MUST BE DONE”

On the first anniversary of her release, the French-Colombian Ingrid Betancourt said Thursday that “more must be done” and “we must go the extra mile” to free the 22 hostages considered by FARC to be political prisoners.

Since her release Ingrid Betancourt has undertaken to do everything possible to get freedom for the 22 hostages whom FARC wish to exchange for 500 rebels held in jail as part of a humanitarian agreement with the government.

In April, FARC accused Uribe, who promised to wipe out the rebels, of blocking the release of Corporal Monaco by refusing to allow mediators who had already taken part in previous handovers.

According to a recent official report, 125 are still held hostage in rebel hands and some 1,500 people have “disappeared” in Colombia, figures strongly contested by humanitarian organisations who say there are several hundred hostages still held by the guerrilla, paramilitaries and involved in drug trafficking.

Ingrid Betancourt wants to give” thanks to God and honour the military who rescued her last July 2008 without injuring anyone and also their families who are according to her the “real heroes on that day”.

“I also want to thank those at the highest level of the Colombian and French governments without who help nothing would have been possible”, also mentioning “ the Heads of State in Latin –America, who contributed to this release”.

The left wing President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez who intervened in the release of FARC hostages, has tense relations with his right- wing counterpart Alvaro Uribe.