This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7326280.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Betancourt needs urgent treatment | Betancourt needs urgent treatment |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt needs a blood transfusion within hours to stay alive, according to her son. | |
Lorenzo Delloye says his mother, who is also a French national, has hepatitis B and a skin disease which require a transfusion "in the coming hours". | |
Ms Betancourt was captured by left-wing Farc rebels in 2002 while campaigning for the Colombian presidency. | |
A joint French, Spanish and Italian medical mission is due to leave for Colombia within the next day. | |
The French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said the team would leave "as soon as possible". | The French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said the team would leave "as soon as possible". |
He added: "We have high hopes. We have done all we humanly could and now we need to wait for our envoys, the doctor, to reach the field." | |
'In danger' | 'In danger' |
French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced the mission after Colombia agreed to suspend military operations against the rebels. | |
"A humanitarian mission of three facilitator countries, Spain, France and Switzerland, has started, in liaison with concerned authorities," a statement from the French president's office said. | |
Mr Sarkozy said Ms Betancourt, held in the Colombian jungle for six years, was "in danger of imminent death". | |
It is not yet clear whether a plane carrying the team has left for Colombia or whether Ms Betancourt's rebel captors will allow the medical mission access. | |
INGRID BETANCOURT Ingrid Betancourt before her kidnap (left) and several years later (right) Born on 25 December 1961Grows up in Paris1989: Returns to Colombia1994: Elected to lower house1998: Becomes a senator2002: Kidnapped by Farc rebels Profile: Ingrid Betancourt | INGRID BETANCOURT Ingrid Betancourt before her kidnap (left) and several years later (right) Born on 25 December 1961Grows up in Paris1989: Returns to Colombia1994: Elected to lower house1998: Becomes a senator2002: Kidnapped by Farc rebels Profile: Ingrid Betancourt |
Mr Delloye made an eleventh-hour appeal at a news conference in Paris on Wednesday. | |
"This is my last appeal. There's no more time. Either we free Mom and the other hostages or we'll lose them, and that's a question of hours," he was quoted as saying by Associated Press (AP). | |
Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe said the French mission, which will be accompanied by the International Committee of the Red Cross, had his full backing. | |
"We have expressed our complete agreement to allow this international medical mission to make contact with the hostages and treat them," he said. | "We have expressed our complete agreement to allow this international medical mission to make contact with the hostages and treat them," he said. |
The BBC's Jeremy McDermott reports from Colombia that there is as yet no indication from Farc that they are ready to give up their most high-profile hostage. | The BBC's Jeremy McDermott reports from Colombia that there is as yet no indication from Farc that they are ready to give up their most high-profile hostage. |
'Grave blow' | |
He says that the recent killing of the group's chief negotiator was described by the rebels as a "grave blow". | He says that the recent killing of the group's chief negotiator was described by the rebels as a "grave blow". |
Last week France offered to take in Farc rebels released from prison in exchange for 46-year-old Ms Betancourt, who has been held in the jungle since she was seized. | Last week France offered to take in Farc rebels released from prison in exchange for 46-year-old Ms Betancourt, who has been held in the jungle since she was seized. |
She was pictured looking thin and frail in a recent video. | She was pictured looking thin and frail in a recent video. |
Her case has drawn broad international attention for years, particularly in France, where she holds nationality acquired through her marriage to a Frenchman. | Her case has drawn broad international attention for years, particularly in France, where she holds nationality acquired through her marriage to a Frenchman. |
Her former husband has said he fears she may be dying or already dead. | Her former husband has said he fears she may be dying or already dead. |
She is one of 39 high-profile hostages whom Farc would like to exchange for 500 rebels currently in prison. | She is one of 39 high-profile hostages whom Farc would like to exchange for 500 rebels currently in prison. |
The rebel group has been fighting the Colombian government for over 40 years. | The rebel group has been fighting the Colombian government for over 40 years. |