Personal account of a kidnapping in Colombia

Submitted: 3rd July 2025

Ingrid Betancourt – the story

Íngrid Betancourt Pulecio is a Colombian politician, former senator and anti-corruption activist.

Betancourt was kidnapped by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) on 23 February 2002 while campaigning for the Colombian presidency. Six years later, she was rescued by Colombian security forces 2 July 2008. There were 14 other hostages released (three United States citizens, and 11 Colombian policemen and soldiers).

Map of locations in Ingrid Betancourt

Personal account of a kidnapping in Colombia

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A novel to transport you to Colombia

Map of locations in Ingrid Betancourt

This is a book that will really stay with me. I learned about this lady in Spanish studies and then started to read about her in the French press when I moved there. She had been married to a French diplomat and so the French press were very invested in her case. This book outlines the experiences of someone who has been taken to the end of their life and then pulled back again. It’s heart-breaking and fascinating in equal measure.

No matter what your political beliefs, the kidnapping of a visiting politician to another country is shocking. This is her account of what it was like to be taken tortured and kept hostage for six years. Imagine not knowing what will happen to you and if you will see the light of day again or your family!. You can’t as it’s impossible.

Colombia

This really is quite remarkable to read from Ingrid herself as it’s raw and very difficult to read at times. What this woman and the others went through was just imaginable. The book really helps to show the country of Columbia and examines how the situation unravelled.

Just fascinating on so many levels. Ingrid is now, in 2025, 63 years old and still works in Colombian politics.