Lorenzo ~ Message to his Mother

Message de lorenzo betancourt 4 avril 2008
envoyé par r-f-i
In Spanish with French subtitles - English translation in red below.

Lorenzo's message to his mother asking her to continue being strong and to take care of herself. He also asks those near to Ingrid to look after her, and finally he makes an appeal to the FARC to grasp this historic oppertunity by freeing his mother and the other hostages - to make the first steps away from terrorism and to evolve into a recognised political force:

"This is a message addressed to my mother Ingrid Betancourt.

My dear mother, I want to tell you several things.

First, I want to tell you that I think of you every day, that I’m proud to be your son. Mummy, I know that you are going through very difficult times, but these are the last such times, so please be strong. Eat and take care of yourself. It is your son asking you this….A little more courage.

I want – everyone wants – to see once more, this courageous woman and mother that you are.

My dear Mummy, I’m guessing that you would like to know how my studies are going. All’s going well. I sat an exam this term, and I learnt what it is to feel alone in front of a blank page – but don’t worry, that exam didn’t count for many marks.

Mum, I would also like to tell you that next Sunday, there will be a march the 6h of April, a ‘March in White’ in France. I think, I’m sure, that it will be the biggest march we’ve ever organised.

This march will be one which all the hostages in Colombia can be proud of.

This is a march for freedom.

Mum, here we are all fighting for you.
So, be strong.
Courage mum – courage! Take care of yourself as much as you can.
You are, quite frankly, so very brave.

For all the other hostages who are listening to this message: Please, if you are near to mum, take care of her.

To the FARC, please I would like to ask them to take a step. You should understand that this is an historic moment in which you could be recognised as something other than terrorists. Where you would be recognised as human beings, as men.
Therefore, take a step towards human dignity.

Free Ingrid and free all the hostages.

Thank you very much to RFI."

He announces to his mother (who sometimes hears these messages on the French Internatinal Radio channel), what is expected to be an historic march tomorrow Sunday the 6th of April 2008 across France - a 'Marche blanch' ('March in White') [more details on: http://www.agirpouringrid.com/], where we may all express our support and hope that Ingrid and the other hostages shall return safe and sound to their families.