ST PETERSBURG TIMES

U.S. contributes to Colombia's quiet military revolution

The daring jungle rescue July 2 of 15 hostages held by Colombian guerrillas might never have happened if not for a controversial decision six years ago in Congress to allow American military aid to Colombia to be used in "unified campaign" against drugs and terrorism.

THE NEW YORK TIMES

Colombia's Betancourt fears the impending collapse

Ingrid Betancourt fears the collapse she knows is coming. A week after her sudden rescue from nearly seven years of captivity in the Colombian jungle, Betancourt looks healthy, even elegant. But she spoke of her fragility in an interview Thursday. She knows how quickly her adrenaline is dropping.

LOS ANGELES TIMES

In Colombia, Uribe more popular than ever

Since last week's hostage rescue, the second-term president's approval rating has topped 80%. A third term, despite constitutional hurdles, appears increasingly likely.

WASHINGTON POST

In Colombia jungle ruse, U.S. played a quiet role

For months before a group of disguised Colombian soldiers carried out a daring rescue of three American citizens and a prominent Colombian politician from a guerrilla camp, a team of U.S. Special Forces joined elite Colombian troops tracking the hostages across formidable jungle terrain in the country's southern fringes.

THE WASHINGTON POST

Chávez, seeking Colombia role, distances himself from rebels

At a May presidential summit in Brazil, President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela sought out his Colombian counterpart and regional rival, Álvaro Uribe. The two had not spoken in months. But Chávez got right to the point, telling Uribe: "We haven't been giving money to the FARC," referring to the rebel group that has operated in Colombia since the 1960s.

LOS ANGELES TIMES

Colombia leaders deny ransom story

Colombian authorities sought over the weekend to discredit a Swiss academic and former intermediary in talks with a left-wing rebel group who has been linked to a disputed report that officials paid $20 million for last week's release of 15 high-profile hostages.

HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Colombia's Betancourt returns as different person

Before she was kidnapped, Betancourt was widely viewed here as a spoiled, arrogant, if well-meaning, politician. But the courage, loyalty and defiance she displayed during six years as a rebel hostage has turned her into the toast of Colombia and much of the world.

HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Colombia hostage rescue will likely reinforce U.S. ties

Colombia's commando operation that freed 15 hostages including Ingrid Betancourt is likely to strengthen the Andean country's already close economic and security ties with the United States, experts said

LOS ANGELES TIMES

Colombian rebels splintering

The sensational rescue of 15 hostages from the grip of Latin America's largest rebel group has highlighted the diminished state of Colombia's FARC, an organization that just six years ago threatened to overrun the Colombian government.

THE WASHINGTON POST

Colombian Officials Recount Rescue Plan

Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos told a special team of intelligence agents assigned with drawing up a hostage rescue operation to be inventive and bold

Ingrid Betancourt's comments

The following is The Miami Herald's translation of Ingrid Betancourt's first public comments after her rescue from a FARC jungle camp.

French and Swiss ebvoys in Colombia to meet with FARC

A French and a Swiss envoy are visiting Colombia to meet the new top commander of the country's main leftist rebel group and discuss the possible liberation of hostages

THE NEW YORK TIMES

In tangle of young lips, a sex rebellion in Chile

Chile, long considered to have among the most traditional social mores in South America, is crashing headlong into a reputation for sexual exploration among its precocious teenagers.

Colombia says FARC rebel wants deal for Betancourt

A Colombian FARC rebel has offered to release French-Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt and other guerrilla captives in exchange for protection from extradition, President Alvaro Uribe said on Friday.

THE WASHINGTON POST Editorial

Venezuela: A Welcome Flip-Flop

Colombia's FARC terrorist movement has been reeling from a series of devastating blows in the last several months, ranging from the death of its legendary leader to the killing of its second in command in a government air attack and the capture of his laptops. Now it has suffered another bolt from the blue: Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, the FARC's most valuable ally in recent years, has abruptly reversed his public support

REUTERS

OAS will probe Colombian FARC computer files

The Organization of American States said on Monday it will probe claims by Colombia that Ecuador has cooperated with leftist guerrillas and the United States called on Venezuela to get tough on the rebels

THE WASHINGTON POST-Comment

Pawns in the jungles of Colombia

THE NEW YORK TIMES -Editorial

Colombia's chance

Colombia’s president, Álvaro Uribe, may be sorely tempted to begin a final, killing offensive against rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC. The rebels are weakened, and Mr. Uribe is eager to capitalize politically on their defeat.

THE WASHINGTON POST

FARC rebels vow to continue fight

Colombia's largest rebel group pledged Sunday to carry on in its decades-long war against the U.S.-backed government after confirming that the group's legendary commander had died of natural causes. The Defense Ministry had said the day before that Manuel Marulanda, who led one of the world's oldest insurgencies in a brutal if quixotic battle against the state, had died in March

WALL STREET JOURNAL

The last days of the FARC In Colombia

Manuel Marulanda's death is only the latest blow to the FARC, Latin America's oldest and biggest insurgency. Having been at the gates of Bogotá just five years ago, the group finds itself on the run from an invigorated Colombian military that runs nightly bombing missions.