Liberating Hostages from the FARC Frees Every Colombian …

If one wanted to understand the emotional impact on Colombians of last week’s dramatic rescue of twelve Colombians and three Americans, including former Colombian Presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, this editorial from Colombia’s Semana newspaper would be a good place to start.

The editorial says in part:

“Every society needs symbols to enable it to survive. In her fragile humanity and admirable courage, Ingrid Betancourt embodies the parable of our nation’s overwhelming tragedy. The image of Ingrid means many things to Colombians. But fundamentally two: the struggle for dignity and the hope for civility. … So when, with her strength of mind, her trembling and her faltering voice, she said: ‘Thank you Colombia,’ it was felt by all Colombians. Not only did she shed a tear – we all did. Not only for Ingrid but for three people from the United States and 11 police and soldiers who also embraced freedom. On this day, every Colombian was just a little freer. Because in the recent history of this country, no scourge has crushed our collective soul as kidnapping has done.”

Going on to explain the catharsis Colombians went through after the release, the editorial continues:

“This tragedy has also been an exploration of the human condition. For not only do the most basic instincts emerge during the oppression of captivity, but also the most noble sentiments and values which extol human beings who are forced to confront adversity. The value of life – and the risk of death during attempts to flee; permanent humiliation at the hands of captors; the brotherhood that binds the kidnapped; the love for one’s fellow who shares this state of vulnerability; the psychological condition of being confronted with the endless passage of time; the social adaptation to psychological slavery; the new power relationships in this new caged-reality … these have all come out in the incredible stories told by each of the abductees, whose messages are metaphors for a country that has built its character and identity within a maelstrom of violence.”

EDITORIAL

Translated By Douglas Myers Rasmussen

July 3, 2008

Colombia – Semana – Original Article (Spanish)

Every society needs symbols to enable it to survive. In her fragile humanity and admirable courage, Ingrid Betancourt embodies the parable of our nation’s overwhelming tragedy. The image of Ingrid means many things to Colombians. But fundamentally two: the struggle for dignity and the hope for civility.

So when, with her strength of mind, her trembling and her faltering voice, she said: “Thank you Colombia,” it was felt by all Colombians. Not only did she shed a tear – we all did. Not only for Ingrid but for three United Statesiens [people from the U.S.] and 11 police and soldiers who also embraced freedom. On this day, every Colombian was just a little freer. Because in the recent history of this country, no scourge has crushed our collective soul as kidnapping has done.

This tragedy has also been an exploration of the human condition. For not only do the most basic instincts emerge during the oppression of captivity, but also the most noble sentiments and values which extol human beings who are forced to confront adversity. The value of life – and the risk of death during attempts to flee; permanent humiliation at the hands of captors; the brotherhood that binds the kidnapped; the love for one’s fellow who shares this state of vulnerability; the psychological condition of being confronted with the endless passage of time; the social adaptation to psychological slavery; the new power relationships in this new caged-reality … these have all come out in the incredible stories told by each of the abductees, whose messages are metaphors for a country that has built its character and identity within a maelstrom of violence.

READ ON AT WORLDMEETS.US, along with continuing translated foreign press coverage of our nation.