Thanks to Mr Uribe and the Colombia army. The operation was perfect as Ms Betancourt called it. We Colombians know that the military has planned this operation for months and that the army has carried out successfully other similar operations to liberate hostages.

Camila, Pitalito, Colombia

"with the help of the US Central Intelligence Agency."? I remember other Colombian operations where the US was also trying to steal spotlight. The Israelis are also trying to take some credit. Get your own success! It only shows how brilliant this was. Congratulations Colombia!

Vicente Cuervo, Ft Lauderdale, US

Great, Mr. President. Now, go back and free the rest of their hostages. If they don't release them, kill them. The FARC, I mean.

Paul Wade, Tennessee, USA

Congratulations to the Colombian army!! This operation shows how brave and clever they are. I'm proud of being Colombian, I've cried of joy and pray everyday for the peace and future of my beloved country. Gracias Presidente Uribe.

Patricia Fisher, London, UK

Bravo! She should keep the long plaits/hair as a reminder of the strength she showed during her captivity.

Moe

Moe, Chicago, USA

One of the rescued hostages held for more than 5 years turns 55 tomorrow, July 4.

walter preston, baltimore,

G-d does not bring evil into the world, only humans do that. Everything good that happens in the world is because of G-d

Barry, NYC, USA

The operation will go down in the annals of miltiary history as one of the most audacious rescues ever successfully executed...warmest congrats from UK SF!

P

Amigo, Hereford, UK

I just feel like crying!! I am so happy for them. Thanks to President uribe, his strength of character has helped colombia go through the black years.

Johana, Toowoomba, Australia

Exellent Mr President, Alvaro Uribe. The end of FARC is comming thanks of Colombian President. If the FARC wants to negociate seriously otherwise they will be defeated

Alejandro Alvarez, Medellin,

Why thank god?

God had nothing to do with the rescue? It was the work of a few good, smart, daring men, willing to risk their lives.

If god is to be thanked he must also be blamed for allowing them to be taken hostage in the first place.

It is plain brilliant news, but not because of god.

Paul, Toronto, Canada

This turn of events will be celebrated around the world! As freedom arrives for the kidnapped victims, our happiness and joy go with them and their families. Congratulations to the Colombian military, what an amazing and successful ploy!

Robyn Miller, San Francisco, USA

Bravo to a very strong & courageous lady. Well done to the Colombian president & Mr Sarkozy

Richard, Bucharest,

This was a beautiful operation though 15 or so hostages freed out of 700 in captivity is a small number. Efforts should be made by the Colombian Government and the world at large that the FARC does not vent its frustrations and anger on the remaining hostages. DAGROUS, MALAWI

Dagrous, Lilongwe, Malawi

I've followed her case for many years. Recent news reports had indicated the decline of Farc in recent months. Betancourt was their high profile prisoner so I hardly dared hope. It's a wonderful day.

Niamh, Dublin, Ireland

The strength and fortoitude it must take to survive as a hostage is amazing. Ms. Betancourt, you and the others are muses reminding us that life is a beautiful and fragile balance. My best wishes to you, may you finally know peace and the tender touches of loved ones again.

Antonio, Brooklyn, USA

Great news, but Let's not forget those who were left behind, soldiers and policemen who have been waiting for 10 years...

Ana Santa, Bogota, Colombia

I am full of joy. I hope the news of the liberation of the remaining people held in captivity in Colombia and around the world are heard very soon.

Juan Jaramillo, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA

This is a victory of human kind over repression, hatred and evil. We are overwelmed with joy but we can't forget the other victims still left in the jungle. Keep your hopes high, peace and freedom will soon come to Colombia.

Sebastián Boada, Bogotá, Colombia

Fantastic news and a coup for the President who's been going through a rough time at the moment both domestically and internationally.

Looking forward to hearing why on earth Mrs. Betancourt elected to campaign in that part of the country in 2oo2 (against, I understand, all advice).

Adam, Cartagena, Colombia

Fantastic news ! Bravo to the Columbian Army and Secret Service.

Jo, Lannion, France

Wonderful news,I hope that,this beautiful country(Colombia)one day will be free of so much suffering.Thank you,president Uribe.
All the luck for the Betancourt family.

J.O, Bogota, Colombia

Bravo Colombia and France! God bless Ingrid and her family. We can never lose hope.

Dermis, Guayama, Puerto Rico

It's truly a miracle. Thank God. There's no other way this would have happened. This is such good news for Colombians around the world.

I belive that this goes to show how professional the Colombian army is, how much of a strong leader President Uribe is and how much Colombia has changed.

Henry Herrera, London, UK

Rescued without a single shot fired. Beautiful. The kind of thing you start to think really only happens in movies.

Andrew, Salem, MA, USA

Bravo Colombian people! As W Churchill exhorted: "Never ever give up!" To the self-important, self-proclaimed "enlightened", elitist, America hating, multicultural, animal loving/baby hating, selfish &cowardly liberal media, academics, &other fools &excusers of radical Islam &Hugo Chavez: go blow.

David, New York, USA

Fantastic! Uribe, Colombian army and people deserve applause for continuing long, hard fight against extremists and terrorists, even at great sacrifice! The spirit of Churchill and the English people of old has departed for Colombia and America while cowardly spirit of Chamberlain has taken Europe!

Hong, shanghai, china

Fantastic news. Earlier this year the Sunday Times had an article on this remarkable lady and her children with the title "Hold on mama we're going to get you out". I cried reading it and now I'm crying again. Her children (and the army) have got her out. I wish her a long and happy life.

Mark, Liverpool, England

I was so happy to hear she had been freed I almost cried on tube this morning. I am also happy for the other hostages, let's not forget them.

Marie, London,

I am so delighted for this news, congratulations to Colombia Army, the president Uribe because you acted very wisely in the action for this freeing, it was like a mission imposible film.

Rey Jerez, London, uk

This is wonderful news. Ingrid Betancourt is a source of strength. Congratulations Uribe!

Patricia, Buenos Aires, Argentina

great news after a long time. ingrid betancourt, uribe and the colombian security forces deserve our heart-felt congratulations

jaideep chatterjee, calcutta, india

These terrorists may not be trustable, but a Government must always be trustable. To have tricked FARC is an outrage.

This rescue is extremely bad news for the remaining hostages who far outnumber this little bunch, and for Columbia as a whole.

Get out while you can.

Greg Lorriman, Leatherhead, UK

Thank God for our wonderful president, Alvaro Uribe...I am very happy for Ingrid and her family! Que Viva Colombia!!

Lilly, Miami, FL

It is such a wonderful news. It was 10 pm when the first message appeared on TV in France: unbelievable. She is finally released.It had ben so much times since her capture that we thought she had died.Now we must know how they succeed to release Ingrid B and the other prisoners,it has to be clear.

Charlotte, Southern France,

This is fabulous news and I cried as I read it. Well done to all those involved, this is truly cause for celebration. I hope Betencourt takes time to recover and to be with her children before using her experience to good use. The Colombian National Army should be very proud.

Sarah, Milton Keynes, UK

I'm very proud for my president our military forces and this amazing operation.

I'm so happy for Ingrid and her family, their deserve all the best.

Viva Colombia

Leonardo, London, UK

Thre were 11 Colombians liberated along with 4 foreigners that included the franco-colombian betancourt. Remember that this bloodless liberation was planed and executed by the Colombian goberment and military forces and police. Good show Uribe. Keep it up.

Lola, Bogota, Colombia

At long last good prevails over evil in the modern world. My heart is full of emotion. I have again faith in humanity. President Uribe, Mr Santos, the Colombian Intelligence and the Comandos deserve a special place in history. You are simply brilliant. Very best wishes to all the hostages.

Beatriz Tucker, London, UK

Great news indeed! And it was particularly exemplary the way in which released hostages and Ingrid's mother actually knelt on the tarmac for a prayer of thanksgiving. What a great example of what we all should do more often.

Juan Herrera, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Some 'hostage' she has got married, had children could of left several times.

andy, london,

And now the bad news. FARC are still holding 700+ kidnap victims and this won't make conditions any better for them. FARC continue to traffic in drugs and receive support from Venezuela. Let's hope they come to see the purposelessness of their fight and turn their lives to some good.

Simon, Brussels,

Only one quack in all this......it comes from Hugo Chavez. a communist guy.....he's pleased of the release...is he really as he openly supports the FARC ?

There is only one way to deal with the FARC and others, the army ! Its the only thing they understand. Well done the commados, well done Uribe

E.Bee, Toulouse, France

Great News at last!!
That was a truly remarkable rescue.
Hats off to Alvaro Uribe and the Colombians.They persevered and were justly rewarded.
A timely lesson and wake up call for Chavez, Correa, Morales and Ortega.Mind your own business.Stay put in your backyard and sort your problems first.

Neville, Auckland , New Zealand

Well done indeed. Clearly the USA, supporters of right wing popular Uribe, who are the "normally" cited source of all Colombian support and thus responsible for anything bad happening in Colombia (as elsewhere), had no input to this fanatstic operation, unlike when things go wrong. Is it racism?Yes

Mike, Newmarket, UK

Brilliant! I hope that she can lead a peaceful and happy life from now on

Chantelle Le Gall, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad

As a common Colombian citizen I feel enormously proud of our president Alvaro Uribe and our armed forces. The confidence and sense of security is coming back these last few years in our country. These are the best news EVER!.
Thanks for presenting this wonderful news to the world.

Santiago Camacho Guzmán, Bogotá, Colombia

That was a very daring operation & congratulations for its success, without a bullet fired, its simply brilliant.
all the best to Ingrid who lost 6 precious years of her life, may she enjoy the best of times with her family.

Heath, Surrey,

Wonderful news. There is still 'hope' in this world. Congratulations to all who were part of the rescue team and good luck to the ones who were freed.

Rakesh Sumit, London, UK

Great news and well done President Uribe.

Ian McNeil, roussayrolles, france

Yeah... at least some good news in this world full of garbage.

Horace, Firenze (Florence), Italy

I'm very happy for her, she's free at last. I hope she can think of her health, her family and above all she can enjoy her life.
michela

michela, rome,

I am so delighted, i could cry... I have cried.... As long as there is life, there is hope... (I cannot wait to see the movie, as it's got to be made!). Only slightly bemused that this story did not make the front page! it is as big as the release of Terry Wright.

Tviatge, Amersham, France/England

The good people in this world won a victory today. The bad people are on the losing team.

Peter

Peter, Texas, USA

Even though her gaunt face, she seems to be healthy. I`m happy to see that. and I hope the other captors will be able to get freed.

cho mee sook, seoul, Korea

Oooo! Weeee! I'm so happy I could skip around my house. Jee-wizz what a beautiful world! My heart is fluttering like a big fluttering thing! Ohh heavenly roses of Saint Johnson, I think I'm going to cry!

Andrew, Godalming, UK

Wonderful wonderful news. I am so happy for her and her family, for all the other hostages freed today, and for all peace-loving Colombians.

Emma, Miami, United States

I am quite pleased.

Simon, Toms River, USA

This is great news.

Hans, Schenectady, USA

Not even month ago I was emotional reviewing and listening some video about her, her kids, her life. I am glad now my tears are from the happiness to see such a miracle happening! What a beautiful and historic day!

Mrs Ingrid Betancourt, enjoy life with your kids and family! You deserve it!

Ana Nickolayeva, Redwdood Shores, USA

Brilliant. That's really great news.

Mark, Dublin, Ireland

Wonderful news! At last!!!

A C Leonard , London,

I am living in France and her family never stopped their fight (thanks to messages in radios,tv,...)
She is a good example of strength and hope.

Victoria, marseille,

Thank God!
Praying that all those rescued are blessed with good health, peace and happiness from now on, Amen.

Sara Raphael, Manchester, UK

Great news for her and her family. Am really pleased for her.

RK, London,

Wonderful, wonderful news! Let's hope all the hostages are released!

Clive Britcher, Caracas, Venezuela

The best news OF THE YEAR about Colombia. I am so happy and still finding it hard to believe it. Congratulations president Uribe!!!

Gabriel, Miami, USA

Enough to make me happy till the end of the week! I hope she will make a good recovery and wish her all happiness for the rest of her life.

LN, Paris, Bristol,

Best news I have heard in many, many months!!

CFMc, Torino, Italy

About time!

E J Murray, Kerry, Ireland

Great news.
Good luck to her and her familly!

Tom Sykes, Huddersfield, England

Thank God.

chris, london,

Amen!

Landolphe D'Aquin MD ThD , Homestead, USA