Ingrid Betancourt Pulecio (born December 25th 1961 in Bogota, Colombia) is a Franco-Colombian politician, ex-senator & presidential candidate and anti-corruption activist who was kidnapped by the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) on the 23rd February 2002 while campaigning for the Presidency. She is a key hostage for the FARC (there are close to 3000 hostages held in Colombia, including 3 U.S. hostages), who are seeking a possible humanitarian exchange with the Colombian government of prisoners for hostages.
At the date that I write this (the 11th of March 2008), Ingrid Betancourt has been held hostage for over 6 years. She has two children, Mélanie & Lorenzo, who (with their whole family) are doing all they can to highlight her situation and secure her release. We have learned from recent ex-hostages that as well as being very badly treated by the FARC (she is constantly chained & tied-up and is suffering from maltreatment), she is very ill from a recurring hepatitis B infection; which with no treatment (bear in mind she is being held in the deep forest with no medication or doctors), will undoubtedly result in her death – most probably in the next several weeks.
Imagine what it must be like for her & those that love her….
I am starting this blog in an attempt to highlight Ingrid’s & the other hostages' plight and seek action from those with influence. The thing is I need your help (yes, you…) – I’m just an ordinary person, like everyone else & I can’t do this on my own. Of course there are other blogs, committees etc. She has two children, Mélanie & Lorenzo who their family & friends are fighting hard – but time is running out FAST! Together we CAN make a difference, it’s not too late… yet.
No matter where you are in the world, I’m asking you to do something (sometimes a lot, sometimes not so much; but something) – each act counts.
Spread the word, tell your family & friends – try to contact those with influence and power. My appeal goes out especially to those in the United States of America (the chief ally of Colombian President Uribe & the nation with the biggest influence upon him and his government). We need to spread the word, contact the politicians & those with influence, even set-up gatherings if possible (please contact me if you are interested in setting-up or taking-part in this). I would also like to see if we can organise a pubic gathering in London (UK) – (please tell me if you are interested &/or can help) - the same goes for those of you in other countries.
To professionals in the media who might come across this blog; your help is vital too.
Ingrid’s situation deserves to be in the headlines & often. If you would be interested in speaking to Ingrid’s family to write articles & for broadcasting, get in touch with them through http://www.agirpouringrid.com/ or else please let me know and I’ll try to get in touch with the commitee and set something up.
This is not an impossible fight… this is not an endless fight either, and unfortunately time is running out so fast, so don’t think ‘tomorrow’ or ‘next month’ is an option - we’re beyond that & against the clock.
Please continue to look at the next articles & maybe you’ll find a way you can help. This blog shall evolve so keep coming back for more info. I hope I’m not talking into emptiness & something good will come of this….
Thank you for taking the time to read this, it’s you’re first and most important act to help – with a bit more effort, the rest will be easy & we could be welcoming Ingrid back to her children… to liberty… to life….
At the date that I write this (the 11th of March 2008), Ingrid Betancourt has been held hostage for over 6 years. She has two children, Mélanie & Lorenzo, who (with their whole family) are doing all they can to highlight her situation and secure her release. We have learned from recent ex-hostages that as well as being very badly treated by the FARC (she is constantly chained & tied-up and is suffering from maltreatment), she is very ill from a recurring hepatitis B infection; which with no treatment (bear in mind she is being held in the deep forest with no medication or doctors), will undoubtedly result in her death – most probably in the next several weeks.
Imagine what it must be like for her & those that love her….
I am starting this blog in an attempt to highlight Ingrid’s & the other hostages' plight and seek action from those with influence. The thing is I need your help (yes, you…) – I’m just an ordinary person, like everyone else & I can’t do this on my own. Of course there are other blogs, committees etc. She has two children, Mélanie & Lorenzo who their family & friends are fighting hard – but time is running out FAST! Together we CAN make a difference, it’s not too late… yet.
No matter where you are in the world, I’m asking you to do something (sometimes a lot, sometimes not so much; but something) – each act counts.
Spread the word, tell your family & friends – try to contact those with influence and power. My appeal goes out especially to those in the United States of America (the chief ally of Colombian President Uribe & the nation with the biggest influence upon him and his government). We need to spread the word, contact the politicians & those with influence, even set-up gatherings if possible (please contact me if you are interested in setting-up or taking-part in this). I would also like to see if we can organise a pubic gathering in London (UK) – (please tell me if you are interested &/or can help) - the same goes for those of you in other countries.
To professionals in the media who might come across this blog; your help is vital too.
Ingrid’s situation deserves to be in the headlines & often. If you would be interested in speaking to Ingrid’s family to write articles & for broadcasting, get in touch with them through http://www.agirpouringrid.com/ or else please let me know and I’ll try to get in touch with the commitee and set something up.
This is not an impossible fight… this is not an endless fight either, and unfortunately time is running out so fast, so don’t think ‘tomorrow’ or ‘next month’ is an option - we’re beyond that & against the clock.
Please continue to look at the next articles & maybe you’ll find a way you can help. This blog shall evolve so keep coming back for more info. I hope I’m not talking into emptiness & something good will come of this….
Thank you for taking the time to read this, it’s you’re first and most important act to help – with a bit more effort, the rest will be easy & we could be welcoming Ingrid back to her children… to liberty… to life….
H de C.
Photo by: Jean-Marie Périer
Photo thanks to: agirpouringrid.com
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