Gaudium magnum

The fruit of many prayers: Ingrid Betancourt is free

What a splendid thing is the liberation of Ingrid Betancourt after being held in captivity by the FARC for six years and five months. The Franco-Colombian politician was freed by the Armed Forces of Colombia in a raid planned so well that not even a single shot was fired. Ms. Betancourt has hailed the rescue operation as “perfect” and expressed her profound thanks to the Colombian military. It is understood that the commandos had an opportunity to take out as many as fifty FARC guerrillas but declined to both as a token of goodwill and in order to further encourage the massive desertions the FARC has suffered recently.

This is wonderful news for Betancourt’s family, but it is also great for Colombia and for the President of Colombia, Álvaro Uribe. President Uribe has been working feverishly during his time in office to restore the rule of law and the legitimate government throughout the troubled South American country. In contrast to his predecessors, he has been outstandingly successful in fighting the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia), a Marxist guerrilla group and drug cartel that has terrorized the nation.

You will no doubt recall that President Uribe recently implored the intercession of the Blessed Virgin to prevent a possible war with Venezuela and Ecuador. We should all pray, as President Uribe does, for a Columbia that is united, free, peaceful, and just.