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In case of failure, Colombia had prepared an armada of 39 helicopters to ferry 2000 troops plus U.S. advisors. They would have been brought within a half-mile of the original landing zone in under 15 minutes.<ref>{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Kraul |title=Colombia hostage rescue by deception |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/latinamerica/la-fg-hostagetictoc4-2008jul04,0,7912582.story?page=1&track=rss |publisher=Los Angeles Times |date=2008-07-04 |accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref>
In case of failure, Colombia had prepared an armada of 39 helicopters to ferry 2000 troops plus U.S. advisors. They would have been brought within a half-mile of the original landing zone in under 15 minutes.<ref>{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Kraul |title=Colombia hostage rescue by deception |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/latinamerica/la-fg-hostagetictoc4-2008jul04,0,7912582.story?page=1&track=rss |publisher=Los Angeles Times |date=2008-07-04 |accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref>


===Foreign involvement===
===Alleged foreign involvement===
The [[United States]] reportedly provided a transport plane and a medical team for the liberated hostages.<ref>{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Kraul |title=15 hostages freed as FARC is fooled in cunning operation |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-fg-hostages3-2008jul03,0,2966582.story?page=1 |publisher=Los Angeles Times |date=2008-07-03 |accessdate=2008-07-03}}</ref> According to ''[[Der Spiegel]]'', Colombian authorities had used American spy satellites to track the location of the hostages since the beginning of 2008.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jens |last=Glüsing |title=Months of Intelligence Work Led to Betancourt's Rescue |url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,563619,00.html |publisher=Der Spiegel |date=2008-07-03 |accessdate=2008-07-03}}</ref>
The [[United States]] reportedly provided a transport plane and a medical team for the liberated hostages.<ref>{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Kraul |title=15 hostages freed as FARC is fooled in cunning operation |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-fg-hostages3-2008jul03,0,2966582.story?page=1 |publisher=Los Angeles Times |date=2008-07-03 |accessdate=2008-07-03}}</ref> According to ''[[Der Spiegel]]'', Colombian authorities had used American spy satellites to track the location of the hostages since the beginning of 2008.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jens |last=Glüsing |title=Months of Intelligence Work Led to Betancourt's Rescue |url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,563619,00.html |publisher=Der Spiegel |date=2008-07-03 |accessdate=2008-07-03}}</ref>


Revision as of 03:40, 6 July 2008

Operation Jaque
Part of Colombian armed conflict (1964–present)
DateJuly 2 2008
Location
Rainforests of Guaviare, Colombia
Result 15 hostages rescued without any shots fired
Belligerents
National Army of Colombia FARC
Commanders and leaders
General Mario Montoya Gerardo Aguilar alias "Cesar"
Strength
4 Air crew
8 Commandos		 60 Guerrillas
Casualties and losses
None 2 guerrillas captured

Operation Jaque was a Colombian military operation that rescued 15 hostages held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) on July 2, 2008, along the Apaporis River in the department of Guaviare, including former presidential candidate Íngrid Betancourt.[1] They were released as a result of a trick played on FARC by Colombian Military Intelligence. The other hostages freed were Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes, and Keith Stansell, three American military contractors employed by Northrop Grumman[2] and 11 Colombian military and police.[3] Two FARC members were arrested. Íngrid Betancourt stated the operation had been "perfect".[4]

The operation's title comes from the Spanish word for "check", as in "checkmate".[1]

Operation

The Guaviare Department highlighted in red, was the area of operations.

The intelligence gathering for the operation began long before it was actually carried out; according to one American official, Colombia had managed to place a mole within the FARC itself one year, if not more, before the operation.[5] According to a colonel involved in the operation, Colombia had located the hostages roughly four months before the rescue.[6] Between this time and the actual mission, Colombian forces spotted five of the hostages while they were bathing in the Apaporis river (including the three Americans), leading them to plant motion-sensors and video cameras along the waterway. At one point a FARC guerilla accidently kicked a device while walking in the jungle to relieve himself; however, the surveillance operation's cover was not blown.[7]

The idea of tricking the FARC into regrouping the hostages was seriously considered in late May, and the following month General Freddy Padilla de Leon brought the rescue plan to his civilian bosses. Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos is said to have agreed quickly to the plan; President Alvaro Uribe, after weighing the possible diplomatic consequences, also approved it.[7]

Santos said the FARC rebels had been tricked into handing over the hostages by soldiers posing as members of a fictitious non-government organisation that supposedly would fly the captives to a camp to meet rebel leader Alfonso Cano;[4] to prepare for the role, they took acting classes for a week and a half. Two soldiers impersonated a cameraman and journalist, two posed as fellow guerilla fighters, and four troops dressed as aid workers.[5] Several aspects of the mission were apparently designed to mimic previous Venezuelan hostage transfers, including the actual composition of the group and the type and markings of the helicopters used.[8]

According to Betancourt, the hostages were moved early on the morning of July 2 across the river to a landing zone where they were told by their captors that they were going to be moved to a different location.

Two Mi-17 helicopters came to the landing area in Guaviare, where one, carrying Colombian agents wearing Che Guevara T-shirts, landed to pick up the hostages.[9] In total the helicopter spent 22 minutes on the ground, during which time the hostages were handcuffed and loaded aboard; the pilot and copilot communicated with fellow security personnel in code.[10]

Two rebels, including César, boarded the helicopters along with the hostages, persuaded to hand over their pistols, and were subdued in the air by Colombian forces.[4][11] The agents said to the hostages: "We are the National Army. You are free".[1][12] Betancourt later told a press conference she at first had had no idea she was being rescued until she saw her captor naked and blindfolded on the floor of the aircraft.[4]

In case of failure, Colombia had prepared an armada of 39 helicopters to ferry 2000 troops plus U.S. advisors. They would have been brought within a half-mile of the original landing zone in under 15 minutes.[13]

Alleged foreign involvement

The United States reportedly provided a transport plane and a medical team for the liberated hostages.[14] According to Der Spiegel, Colombian authorities had used American spy satellites to track the location of the hostages since the beginning of 2008.[15]

Some reports also highlighted the role of Global CST, a company owned by former Israeli Brigadier Generals Israel Ziv and Yossi Kuperwasser, which has a US$10 million contract with Colombia to provide security advising and equipment.[16] According to Colombia's W Radio, the Colombian military denied that Global CST played any direct role in the operation.[17]

After the reports of foreign involvement made by some media in several countries, Defence Minister Juan Manuel Santos emphasized, at a press conference on July 4, that there was no direct foreign involvement of any kind in the operation. However, he did say that a U.S. surveillance aircraft monitored the situation.[18]

Allegations of payment

On July 4, 2008, Radio Suisse Romande reported that unnamed "reliable sources" had told it the rescue took place after a payment of USD 20 million by the United States.[19] According to Le Monde, the French Foreign Ministry denied the payment of any ransom by France.[20]

Frederich Blassel, the author of the Radio Suisse Romande story, told Colombia's W Radio that, according to his source, the release wasn't negotiated directly with FARC but with alias César, one of the two guerrillas captured during the operation, who would have received the payment of USD 20 million. According to Blassel, the two rebels could be given new identities by Spain, France, and Switzerland.[21][22]

According to Colombia's El Tiempo and W Radio, General Fredy Padilla de León, Commander of the Colombian Armed Forces, denied the existence of any payment by the Colombian government. General Padilla argued that if any payment had been made, it would have been better to make it publicly known, to use it as an incentive and to cause confusion within FARC's ranks.[23][24] William Brownfield, the U.S. ambassador to Colombia, also denied the allegations.[25]

International reactions

  •  Canada: David Emerson, Minister of Foreign Affairs, welcomed the action of the Government of Colombia resulting in the rescue of 15 hostages, "This is undoubtedly a historic event in Colombia’s search for a lasting peace. We share the deep satisfaction and relief of the people of Colombia at the safe return of these hostages to their families."[26]
  •  Chile: Chilean President Michelle Bachelet stated that "This is a victory for democracy, peace and freedom."[27]
  •  Ecuador: Ecuadorian defense minister Javier Ponce stated that the liberation of the 15 hostages was something the world was waiting for, but also lamented the way it happened, saying "It is a pity it happened not as part of a peace process, but as a violent rescue by the Colombian Armed Forces." He claimed it diminishes the chances of a political resolution.[28][29]
  •  France: French President Nicolas Sarkozy spoke by telephone with Álvaro Uribe on the night before the operation. He later thanked Uribe and gave a live news conference with the children and sister of Íngrid Betancourt on the night of July 2. Immediately after, the family and French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner boarded a French jet for Colombia.[30] Various French political figures also expressed their relief with the rescue.[31] In Paris some drivers honked their horns on the night of the rescue, and a public celebration is scheduled for July 3.[1]
  •  Mexico: Mexican President Felipe Calderón telephoned President of Colombia Álvaro Uribe to congratulate him on the successful operation, hailing the strategy implemented to reinforce legality and order, which strengthens democratic life and social coexistence in Colombia.[32]
  •  United States: U.S. President George W. Bush praised and thanked Uribe,[27] and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she was delighted with the rescue of the three American hostages.[33] Presidential candidate John McCain, on a trip to Colombia, praised the rescue effort and urged the release of all hostages.[34]
  •  Venezuela: Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez stated that "We are overjoyed at the liberation of those people ... and even happier to learn they were freed without spilling a drop of blood."[35]

List of hostages rescued

  • Íngrid Betancourt
  • Marc Gonsalves
  • Keith Stansell
  • Thomas Howes
  • Lieutenant Juan Carlos Bermeo (Colombian Army)
  • Lieutenant Raimundo Malagón (Colombian Army)
  • Sergeant José Ricardo Marulanda (Colombian Army)
  • Sergeant Erasmo Romero (Colombian Army)
  • Corporal William Pérez (Colombian Army)
  • Corporal José Miguel Arteaga (Colombian Army)
  • Corporal Armando Flórez (Colombian Army)
  • Lieutenant Vaney Rodríguez (Colombian National Police)
  • Corporal Jhon Jairo Durán (Colombian National Police)
  • Corporal Julio Buitrago (Colombian National Police)
  • Subintendente Armando Castellanos (Colombian National Police)

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Padgett, Tim (2008-07-02). "Colombia's Stunning Hostage Rescue". TIME. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  2. ^ "Betancourt, U.S. contractors rescued from FARC". CNN. 2008-07-02. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |accessate= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "Betancourt, 14 others freed by Colombian forces". Monsters and Critics. 2008-07-02. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  4. ^ a b c d "Colombia hostage Betancourt freed". BBC. 2008-07-03. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |accessate= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ a b Romero; New York Times 2008-07-04 page 1
  6. ^ "«Comment nous avons libéré les otages»" (in French). Le Figaro Magazine. 2008-07-04. Retrieved 2008-07-05.
  7. ^ a b Allen-Mills, Tony (2008-07-06). "Daring sting freed Colombian jungle hostages". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 2008-07-06.
  8. ^ Romero; New York Times 2008-07-04 page 3
  9. ^ Luhnow, David (2008-07-03). "How 'Operation Check-Mate' Worked". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2008-07-03. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ "Old-fashioned fake-out results in freedom for hostages". CNN. 2008-07-03. Retrieved 2008-07-03.
  11. ^ "Colombia tricks rebels into freeing hostages". MSNBC. 2008-07-03. Retrieved 2008-07-03.
  12. ^ Morales, Gabriel (2008-07-03). "'Somos el Ejército Nacional. Ustedes están libres'" (in Spanish). El Mundo. Retrieved 2008-07-03.
  13. ^ Kraul, Chris (2008-07-04). "Colombia hostage rescue by deception". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2008-07-05.
  14. ^ Kraul, Chris (2008-07-03). "15 hostages freed as FARC is fooled in cunning operation". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2008-07-03.
  15. ^ Glüsing, Jens (2008-07-03). "Months of Intelligence Work Led to Betancourt's Rescue". Der Spiegel. Retrieved 2008-07-03.
  16. ^ Melman, Yossi (2008-07-04). "Colombia hostage rescue: the Israeli angle". Haaretz. Retrieved 2008-07-04.
  17. ^ "Fuerzas Militares no pagaron por rescate de 15 secuestrados" (in Spanish). W Radio. 4 July 2008.
  18. ^ "Colombian video shows hostages joyfully hugging in helicopter during rescue". International Herald Tribune. 2008-07-05. Retrieved 2008-07-05.
  19. ^ "Une libération achetée" (in French). Radio Suisse Romande. 4 July 2008.
  20. ^ "Ingrid Betancourt à Paris : "Aujourd'hui, je pleure de joie"" (in French). Le Monde. 4 July 2008.
  21. ^ "Alias César recibió 20 millones de dólares por entregar secuestrados: Radio Suiza" (in Spanish). W Radio. 4 July 2008.
  22. ^ "Periodista de radio Suiza afirma que se pagó por liberar a los rehenes" (in Spanish). Terra Actualidad, EFE. 4 July 2008.
  23. ^ "No se pagó por rescate de secuestrados, afirma el comandante de las Fuerzas Militares" (in Spanish). El Tiempo. 4 July 2008.
  24. ^ "Fuerzas Militares no pagaron por rescate de 15 secuestrados" (in Spanish). W Radio. 4 July 2008.
  25. ^ "US denies ransom payout for hostage release: ambassador". Agence France-Presse. 2008-07-04. Retrieved 2008-07-04.
  26. ^ "Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada - Minister Emerson Welcomes Liberation of Hostages in Colombia". 2008-07-05.
  27. ^ a b BBC News:Reaction to Betancourt's Release - Retrieved on 2008-07-03
  28. ^ "Equador lamenta modo como Betancourt foi solta" (in Portuguese). Folha de São Paulo. 2008-07-02. Retrieved 2008-07-03.
  29. ^ "Reacciones internacionales, un solo mar de felicitaciones" (in Spanish). El Tiempo. Retrieved 2008-07-03.
  30. ^ Romero, Simon (2008-07-03). "15 hostages held by Colombian rebels are rescued". International Herald Tribune. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  31. ^ "Soulagement après la libération d'Ingrid Betancourt" (in French). Le Monde. 2008-07-03. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  32. ^ Presidencia de la Republica:President Calderón Congratulates Colombian Counterpart on Release of FARC Hostages - Retrieved on 2008-07-03
  33. ^ "Rice 'delighted' at Colombia hostage rescue". AFP. 2008-07-02. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  34. ^ "McCain 'This is great news'". BBC. 2008-07-03. Retrieved 2008-07-03.
  35. ^ Reuters:Chavez cheers Colombia hostage rescue - Retrieved on 2008-07-03
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