Ingrid Betancourt is a former Colombian presidential candidate who was freed in July 2008 after six years in captivity at the hands of FARC guerrillas. Ms Betancourt, who has frequently spoken out against terrorism, had decided to campaign in an area with a strong guerrilla presence despite warnings not to do so. Along with 14 other hostages, she was rescued by Colombian security forces on 2 July 2008 in Operation Jaque, having spent a total of 2,321 days in captivity.

Addressing a formal sitting of the EP, in a passionate speech, Ingrid Betancourt spoke in depth about others around the world incarcerated against their will and the task of raising awareness of human rights violations globally. Ms Betancourt's key message was one of the power of discourse; "the only weapon we can believe in, is the force of words, there is nothing stronger than words." Ms Betancourt expressed her thanks to the EP's efforts in creating a public consensus for her plight.

Ingrid Betancourt is one of the eight women highlighted at the occasion of the International Women’s Day (IWD) which is held every year on 8 March.

Discover also the other portraits:

#IWD2019 - Ingrid Betancourt

Visit of Ingrid BETANCOURT at the European Parliament : exchange of views with Ingrid BETANCOURT at the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Sub-Committee on Human Rights

AFET Committee meeting with Ingrid BETANCOURT.

Press conference following the plenary session in Brussels with an intervention by the former Colombian presidential candidate freed from 6 years as a hostage in July 2008.

Plenary session in Brussels with an intervention by the former Colombian presidential candidate freed from 6 years as a hostage in July 2008.

Visit of Ingrid BETANCOURT at the European Parliament : arrival, meeting with Hans-Gert POËTTERING, EP President, address in the formal sitting

EP President meets with the  former Colombian presidential candidate freed from 6 years as a hostage in July 2008.

African Week in the European Parliament.  In cooperation with the Ixelles Commune, African artists will give concerts on the Place Fernand Cocq.

Demonstration for the liberation of Ingrid Betancourt and other hostages in Colombia during the pelenary session of the EP in Strasbourg.

Meeting at the European Parliament in Strasbourg with Ingrid Betancourt's daughter to draw attention on the situation in Colombia.

Meeting with the husband of Ingrid Betancourt, Juan Carlos LECOMPTE

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