Ingrid Betancourt, former Colombian Presidential candidate, was awarded the Prince of Asturias prize today, the Spanish equivalent of the Nobel prize. She was captured in 2002 after trying to enter the DMZ in order to continue peace talks with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or the FARC. Her kidnapping was not premeditated, but they held her hostage for the next 6 years.
In July of this year, the Minister of Defense announced her rescue, as well as that of 14 other captives. The government spent months infiltrating the FARC in order to ensure their safe rescue, and it was a success!
Betancourt was awarded the prize for "promoting understanding between peoples."
This is a fantastic story about the lengths people will go to to promote peace. Her selflessness definitely garners this award.
Read the news article here and the wikipedia article here.
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