John Frank Pinchao has revealed that Farc rebels show a lack of respect for Ingrid Betancourt whom they punish and that the 3 American pilots were not put in chains.

 

Pinchao escaped after nine years.

 

He stated the 3 Americans were treated differently in the forest because when the native political and military hostages were chained in pairs to sleep, the Americans were not chained.

 

“They were not kept chained because they said they would not make any attempt to escape. Up until the time I escaped, they had not been chained”, he stated describing the treatment given by the rebels to the 3 Americans, Keith Stansell, Tom Howes and Marc Gonsalves who is suffering from hepatitis.

 

He added that, on the other hand Senator Luis Eladio Pérez, who is ill, as well as Ingrid Betancourt, who had tried to escape five times, had been chained.

Pinchao made his statement in the only interview given to the President Press Secretary. (On Wednesday he gave a short press conference).

 

No consensus about a military rescue

 

In his briefings, Pinchao revealed that during the first months of detention he thought it would not last long, but as the weeks, months and years went by they realised that this captivity would last.

 

About the possibility of a military rescue, the 13 hostages, with whom he was held, have discussed this at length. “One day, someone would be in favour of a rescue but the next day would be against it. (....)we knew that a military rescue would mean death for the hostages (...) but I used to tell myself , that if there was a rescue and that I were lucky, I could get out alive; if not at least my family would have the certainty of getting back my body rather than the uncertainty of a long term captivity.

 

“They did not show respect towards Ingrid”

 

One strategy used by the rebels to prevent escape was to take away their shoes. “They would take off our shoes when we were within a particular location. I’ve had athlete’s foot for 9 years and now I hope I can get rid of this condition, I’m going to see if I can get that seen to now.”

 

They would also chain them for the entire day as punishment. “Ingrid was also punished because the rebels did not show her respect and that made her angry; so she wanted them to respect her and that resulted in her being punished – such as keeping her chained for 24 hours”.