Ingrid Betancourt

Íngrid Betancourt Pulecio (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈiŋɡɾið βetaŋˈkuɾ]; born 25 December 1961) is a Colombian-French politician, former senator, and anti-corruption activist. She gained international prominence after being kidnapped by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in 2002 while campaigning for the Colombian presidency as a Green candidate. She was rescued in 2008 during Operation Jaque, a military operation conducted by Colombian security forces.

Born in Bogotá, Betancourt is the daughter of Gabriel Betancourt, a former Colombian Minister of Education and UNESCO official, and Yolanda Pulecio, a former beauty queen and congresswoman. She was educated in France and England, attending Sciences Po in Paris, and later earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Theology from Harris Manchester College, Oxford, in 2023.

Betancourt began her political career in the 1990s, serving in the Colombian Chamber of Representatives from 1994 to 1998 and in the Senate from 1998 to 2001. She founded the Oxygen Green Party and was known for her strong stance against political corruption.

On 23 February 2002, Betancourt and her campaign manager, Clara Rojas, were kidnapped by FARC guerrillas near San Vicente del Caguán. They were held captive in the Colombian jungle for over six years. During her captivity, Betancourt became an international symbol of resistance against political violence, particularly in France, where she also holds citizenship through her first marriage to French diplomat Fabrice Delloye.

Betancourt was rescued on 2 July 2008 during Operation Jaque, along with 14 other hostages, including three American contractors and 11 Colombian military personnel. The operation was widely celebrated and brought significant political capital to the Colombian government.

Following her release, Betancourt received several international honors, including France's Légion d'honneur and Spain's Prince of Asturias Award for Concord. Accounts of her behavior during captivity varied; some fellow hostages described her as controlling, while others praised her courage and compassion.

In January 2022, Betancourt announced her candidacy for the Colombian presidential election but withdrew from the race in May 2022.