NG Inside - FARC Hostage Rescue (2008)

he spectacular military operation that led to the rescue of Ingrid Betancourt and 14 others kidnapped by the FARC told for the first time by its protagonists. July 2, 2008 will go down in history as the day of the most audacious military operation, surpassing even the legendary Entebbe operation carried out by the Israelis. On that date, a command of the Colombian Public Force rescued fifteen people (Ingrid Betancourt, three North Americans and eleven soldiers and policemen), held captive for years by the FARC. National Geographic Latin America presents Operation Jaque, an exclusive documentary with details of the Colombian operation that freed 15 FARC hostages, including former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt. In a coca field swarming with over 400 armed guerrillas, 12 unarmed military officials were able to rescue the hostages unharmed. JAQUE, 'Checkmate,' was a “perfect” Colombian military deception operation that successfully recovered fifteen VIP hostages from Las Fuerzas Revolucionarios de Colombia (FARC) on 2 July 2008 without a shot fired or anyone injured. FARC was known for its ruthlessness, and past rescue missions had resulted in death or injury for all but one hostage.

Full Version Available Upon Request
Related Documentary