Because she's worth it
Jul 12th 2010, 17:24 by The Economist online BOGOTÁ
"UNGRATEFUL", "shameful", "cheeky", "hypocrite". Those are some of the kinder epithets being bandied about in Colombia in reference to Ingrid Betancourt, the French-Colombian politician who was once the nation's most famed hostage. On Friday, the Caracol radio station reported that Ms Betancourt had filed a legal request to the Colombian government for $6.8 million in damages, in compensation for being kidnapped by the FARC guerrillas during her 2002 presidential campaign. On radio talk shows, blogs and chat forums, Colombians have suggested that the government should instead sue Ms Betancourt for the costs of the military operation that led to her release six years later, which she has called a “perfect” rescue.
Ms Betancourt has tried to backtrack. In a televised prime-time interview on Sunday, she said her request was merely a “symbolic” move to help other former hostages make their own claims, and that she has "no intention" of suing if the government does not comply. She also contends the move was meant to spark discussion of her accusation that the government of Andrés Pastrana was partly responsible for her abduction. The kidnapping took place when she tried to reach a town in southern Colombia where the then-president had just ordered a guerrilla safe haven dismantled. Ms Betancourt blames the government for removing her bodyguards and denying her a seat on military helicopters. In contrast, the officials involved say they warned her not to go.
After Ms Betancourt was rescued, many Colombians expected her to storm back onto the country’s political stage. Instead, she has primarily remained abroad, dividing her time between Paris and New York while she writes a book about her ordeal. Given the indignation her financial claim has caused, chances are it might not even make the best-seller list once it hits Bogotá’s bookshelves.
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