Ingrid Betancourt
Who is she Her Family A Colombian an French woman She is a mother She was born in Colombia She did her education in France and married a French man She is a mother She has two children
Who is she Her political commitment Numerous political problems: Corruption Drugs Guerillas Seeing the troubles of her country,she decided to get involved She was deputy and senator in Colombia She was candidate for the presidency of the country in 2002
Her abduction In February 2002, abducted by the FARC, one of the colombian guerillas During her election campaign With a campaign director, Clara Rojas
The FARC-EP The Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia–Ejército del Pueblo or FARC-EP (Spanish for "Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia–People's Army") established in 1964-1966 as the military wing of the Colombian Communist Party. estimated 12,000-18,000 members (approximately 20 to 30% of them children under 18 years of age) the FARC-EP is present in 35-40 percent of Colombia's territory The FARC-EP is classified as a terrorist group by multiple nations and organizations, including the United States and the European Union.
The FARC-EP The FARC-EP is governed by a secretariat led by septuagenarian Manuel Marulanda Vélez (Pedro Antonio Marín) The FARC-EP has proclaimed itself a politico-military Marxist-Leninist organization of Bolivarian inspiration It claims to represent the rural poor against Colombia's wealthy classes Opposed to: - United States influence in Colombia - privatization of natural resources - multinational corporations It funds itself principally through extortion, kidnapping and their participation in the illegal drug trade. The annual budget is about $ 300 millions.
The gringos supply the arms and Colombia supplies the dead
CO-FR Relations Pre-Bétancourt Long history of cooperation between the two countries 5 bilaterals signed between the countries (94-98) France largest trading partner in South America
CO-FR Relations Post-Bétancourt 2 bilaterals signed (2003-2004), of which none is commercial intensive talks (visits) humanitarian action proposed Good link between governments It is not advised to travel to Colombia unless compulsory business trip
Negociations Colombian Government: FARCS Negotiations should be led with an explanatory commission and UN Agree on a humanitarian agreement Scared of encouraging abduction if too much concessions are made Ready to accept to free non guilty of crime against humanity prisonnersand to send the other abroad (France) Ceasefire FARCS Only direct negociations Want permanent prisonners exchange law Want negotiations to be in a miltary-free area Freedom for every activist in Colombian jails
Supporting committees Numerous associations in the world with 3 types of actions Information on Ingrid’s situation, all the hostages in Colombia, and more generally on Human Rights there Petition to ask governments to use their diplomatic weight to free her Collect official support from elected representatives
Sources www.wikipedia.com www.betancourt.info www.educweb.org