State of Play: Colombian Hostages Freed

In an operation described in the press as "stunning" and "daring," Colombian military commandos rescued 15 hostages from a Colombian rebel group after years of captivity. The hostages, including three Americans and a French-Colombian politician, had been held in remote jungles by the FARC, a group on the State Dept.’s list of terrorist organizations. The Americans were defense contractors working on anti-drug operations when their plane went down four years ago. The politician, Ingrid Betancourt, was captured while running for president of Colombia six years ago. The freed hostages were flown to a military base in Texas where they will be reunited with their families.

Major American media outlets covered both Betancourt’s reunion with her family and the arrival of the American defense contractors.

Freed hostage Betancourt sees children for first time in six years: ‘nirvana, paradise’ (Los Angeles Times)

Home Sweet Home For 3 U.S. Hostages (CBS News)

Ex-captive meets her kids for 1st time in 6 years (MSNBC)

Ex-hostage reunited with children in Bogota (The Washington Post)

3 hostages rescued in Colombia return to US (Chicago Tribune)

Former hostage Betancourt reunited with her kids (CNN)

Rescued Hostage in Teary Reunion With Children (ABC NEWS)

Hostages Freed in Colombia Returning Home (The New York Times)