An attempt made by the Colombian army to rescue Ingrid Betancourt two weeks ago failed, RTL announced on Tuesday.

Following the escape of John Frank Pinchao, the army found the guerrilla camp from where he had escaped, near the Brazilian border, but there was nobody there, the radio reported…the camp was located near Mitu.

Quoting an official “who is closely following the case”, RTL stressed that the Betancourt family who are opposed to any military rescue, had not been informed in advance, or even the French embassy.

Paul Reyes, the 2nd in command of FARC holding Ingrid Betancourt for over five years, has asked the French President to intervene in favour of the setting up of a demilitarised zone allowing a prisoner exchange.