Betancourt, Juanes Hold Freedom Concert
On July 2, 2008, the Colombian military did the unthinkable - pulling off a daring and dangerous rescue mission in Colombian guerrilla territory.
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