President Alan Garcia said Thursday he supports
making Ingrid Betancourt, a former Colombian rebel hostage, a candidate for the
Noble Peace Prize.
“We know (Betancourt) for many people is a symbol of hope and freedom. That
is why I join the idea and proposal of Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, ”
Garcia said during Betancourt’s visit to Peru.
Bachelet proposed on Wednesday that Betancourt become a candidate of the
peace laureate.
Garcia received Betancourt at the Government Palace and said that all Latin
American countries should join in demanding the release of the hostages held by
the Colombian guerrillas.
“We, all the Latin Americans, have to join our voices, maybe through our
governments, to demand the release of the hostages held by the Revolutionary
Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC),” Garcia said.
Betancourt, a former presidential candidate in Colombia, was kidnapped by
the FARC in 2002, and was rescued on July 2 with 14 other hostages. (Xinhua)