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Betancourt appeared frail in the most
recent video of her captivity [AFP] |
Ingrid Betancourt is one of the most high profile captives held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a rebel organisation that has been fighting the Colombian government since 1964.
A former Colombian presidential candidate and staunch critic of the Farc, she was abducted in February 2002 by the group while campaigning in San Vicente, in the south of the country.
While Colombia has led efforts to secure Betancourt's freedom, France has also sought her release, due to her French citizenship.
Held captive with about 40 other people, the Farc say Betancourt will only be released if the Colombian government agrees to free hundreds of jailed Farc members.
Alvaro Uribe, Colombia's president, says that imprisoned Farc members must renounce their support for the organisation before their release can be considered.
Anti-corruption politician
Betancourt was born in Bogota, Colombia's capital, on 25 December 1961 to Gabriel Betancourt, a diplomat, and Yolanda Pulecio, who went on to serve in Colombia's congress.
Ingrid's early years were spent in Paris, where her father worked, but she studied in boarding schools in France, England and Bogota.
She became a French citizen after marrying Fabrice Delloye, a French diplomat. She had two children, Melanie and Lorenzo, before the marriage ended in divorce.
Betancourt become actively involved in Colombian politics after returning to the country in 1989.
She came to prominence amid her campaigns against drug cartels and political corruption, and was first elected to the chamber of representatives in 1994.
She subsequently formed the Green Oxygen Party, eventually becoming a senator in 1998.
Health concerns
Betancourt has been appeared in several videos since her capture by the Farc.
The most recent pictures of her were released to the press in November 2007 after Colombian officials seized material from Farc fighters.
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Betancourt's plight has risen to prominence in
France, where she holds citizenship [AFP] |
In those images, Betancourt appeared to be extremely frail, sitting in dense jungle territory.
While Betancourt has remained in the Farc's custody, other captives have been released this year.
In January Clara Rojas - who was captured along with Betancourt - and Consuelo Gonzalez, a former member of congress, were released.
Another four hostages, who were released on 27 February, said they were concerned that Betancourt could die unless she received medical treatment.
She is said to be suffering from hepatitis B, a skin disease and depression, and her son Lorenzo has appealed for her to receive an urgent blood transfusion.
Although the Colombian government said in March that it would free Farc fighters in return for Betancourt's release, the armed organisation has not yet agreed to the terms of the offer.
A French envoy, who was despatched to the Farc's area of control in March with a doctor, failed to get access to Betancourt and other captives after the Farc said it was not consulted over the mission and would not respond to "blackmail or media campaigns".