Freedom!

Good news: Yesterday, July 3rd, 15 prisoners who had been held in the FARC's captivity for many years were set free!!! These included three Americans (who had been kidnapped in 2003), Ingrid Betancourt (who was kidnapped in 2002), and 11 Colombian military and police officials (many of whom had been prisoners for much longer). This group had been known as what translates to "game pieces" because the FARC often used them as bargaining chips, and their rescue certainly was not an intentional release of hostages by FARC officials. Rather, Colombian military spies tricked them into believing that they were simply transporting them to an important meeting. I think it would make a great movie someday! :-) Although there are still about 700 others under their control in the Colombian jungles, this is definitely great progress. Many family members are most certainly rejoicing today as they're able to spend time with loved ones whom they've missed for far too long. Oh, happy day!

Here are some resources to learn more about it:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jul/03/colombia.usa
http://www.nysun.com/national/farc-hostages-return-to-america/81248/
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92178046&ft=1&f=1001