A high-profile Colombian politician who sent her children to live in safety in New Zealand is finally free after six years in captivity.
Ingrid Betancourt was kidnapped by rebels and held hostage in the Colombian jungle along with 14 others before a daring rescue mission secured their release.
Betancourt's children, who attended an Auckland primary school, celebrated their mother's release in France with President Nicholas Sarkozy.
After more than 2000 days as a prisoner, freedom for Betancourt was being able to give mum a long, lingering hug.
"Thank you to the army, from my country of Colombia, thank you for your impeccable operation. The operation was perfect," she said after being freed in an operation by Colombian undercover army officers.
Her daughter Melanie Delloye Betancourt said it was the moment they had waited a long time for.
"I think we as a family do not have the words to express how we are feeling," Melanie said who spent time at Auckland's Churchill Park School.
"We are waiting for the moment we can hold her in our arms."
Before the kidnapping in February 2002, the French Colombian's status as a politician made her a target for the terrorist group, the FARC and Betancourt sent her children to New Zealand for safety.
"She would come into my room. She would share literature, she
would share music and she would share about her political
life...and of course there was nothing there about what might
happen to her," teacher Elizabeth-Esther Collins said.
