Colombian guerrilla who guarded Betancourt surrenders!

Updated on Tuesday, September 15, 2009, 11:46 IST Tags: Bogota: A FARC guerrilla who guarded 15 high-value hostages, including former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt who was rescued by the Colombian military last year, has surrendered, the army said. The guerrilla, known as "Angelo", turned himself in to soldiers in Miraflores, a hamlet in the southern province of Guaviare, and requested protection. The rebel "knew he was closer to death and preferred to lay down his arms instead of continuing to put up with the abuse and humiliation to which he was being subjected", the army said. Officials are hopeful that he will provide valuable intelligence on the whereabouts of guerrilla leaders in the area and the condition of other hostages being held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC. The rebel belonged... [read full story]                    

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