Jul 2, 2008 11:49 pm US/Eastern
Miami Celebrates Release Of Colombian Hostages
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
A number of people gathered at the Colombian consulate for a vigil Wednesday night, as they rejoiced over this unprecedented story of freedom: Three americans are on their way home and each has ties here in Florida. Also freed is former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt.
It was a joyful occasion in Colombia as well. Some of the hostages were held for more than five years by revolutionaries in the jungle. Betancourt is a distinguished Colombian politician who was kidnapped in 2002.
"I was able to talk to my mom by phone and told her to tell President Uribe thank you," Betancourt told the media.
The rescue operation had been in the making for months. The three American hostages were finally located by U.S. intelligence. Military agents led the Colombian guerillas to believe that the hostages were only going to be moved from one camp to another. Using unmarked helicopters, the Colombian military then went in and got the Americans.
Each has Florida connections: Marc Gonsalves of Big Pine Key, Thomas Howes of Merritt Island, and Keith Stansell of Bradenton.
They were working for the Pentagon when their plane was shot down in 2003. Prior to now they'd been seen in videos taken by rebels to prove their most valuable hostages were still alive.
Bentacourt was their other major bargaining chip. Bentancourt's aunt lives in Miami, and was ecstatic by the good news by phone.
"I immediately started to cry immediately; we couldn't say anything or get our thoughts together," said Nancy Pelucio. "All I can say was tomorrow I will take the first flight."
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