Betancourt, Juanes Hold Freedom Concert
Paris Concert In Conjunction With Colombian Independence Day Coincides With Hundreds Of Marches Globally
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Former hostage Ingrid Betancourt answers reporters questions during an interview with the Associated Press at her hotel in Paris six days after being rescued along with three Americans and 11 Colombians. (AP)
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Colombian Singer Juanes performs at Madison Square Garden to kick off his La Vida world tour, Thursday, March. 6, 2008, in New York. (AP Photo)
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Play CBS Video Video FARC Hostages Speak Out Three Americans made their fist public comments since their rescue from five years as hostages in Colombia. Hari Sreenivasan reports.
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Video FARC Hostages Rescue Video Exclusive video detailing the liberation of FARC hostages in Colombia has been released to the public. As Kimberly Dozier reports, the former hostages are adjusting nicely to freedom.
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Video FARC Hostages Celebrate July 4 Three U.S. hostages held captive in Colombia since 2003 are reacquainting themselves with family, friends and freedom this July 4th as they readjust to life on American soil. Hari Sreenivasan reports.
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Photo Essay Colombia Hostage Rescue Three Americans among 15 people military rescues from leftist rebels.
It was also a day that Colombian-French politician/former senator/anti-corruption activist Ingrid Betancourt, three American private contractors and 11 Colombian policemen/soldiers learned the true meaning of the word libertad (freedom).
The 15 hostages were freed from a jungle where many don't make it out alive after six years of captivity at the hands of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
Betancourt, also a former presidential candidate, may be safe and sound, but her fight to release thousands of remaining hostages will vigorously resume.Photos: Colombia Hostage Rescue
This year's Colombian Independence Day on July 20 will be especially bittersweet for Betancourt and her fellow Colombians who endured harsh imprisonment by the FARC.
During a press conference held Wednesday in Paris, Betancourt and the Mayor of Paris announced plans to hold a special free concert in Paris on July 20 in conjunction with Colombian Independence Day.
The concert is appropriately named "Concierto por la Libertad" ("The Concert for Freedom") and will coincide with hundreds of planned peace marches and concerts around the world in celebration of Colombian Independence Day.
The concert is scheduled to take place at The Trocadero Esplanade in Paris at 2 p.m., and will include internationally renowned Colombian superstar Juanes, Spanish superstar Miguel Bose, French artists Renan Luce and Michel Delpech, among others.
Betancourt, one of Juanes' first fans, had seen him perform in concert and met him on his rise to fame before her capture. Never did she anticipate that they would cross paths later in life under these circumstances.
Known around the world for being an activist for peace in Colombia, Juanes had the opportunity to speak with Betancourt via a radio program the day following her release.
The Latin Grammy-winner also plans to pay tribute to the brave Colombian soldiers who risked their own lives in the risky rescue mission.
Betancourt explained the event "will be a bridge of love between France and Colombia," and is intended to send "a message of hope for those who are still there and act as a tribute to those who will not return."
By Melissa Castellanos
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