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GUEST: Mark Weisbrot, Co-Director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, and president of the group, Just Foreign Policy

In a dramatic and bloodless rescue operation last week, Colombian president Alvaro Uribe orchestrated the release of Ingrid Betancourt, after 6 years in captivity. Betancourt was kidnapped by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, while running for president in 2002. The Bush administration admitted to providing “specific support” in aiding the rescue. With Betancourt and three American defense contractors being freed, the FARC have lost their most important bargaining chips. Hundreds more are reportedly still in captivity. The FARC have suffered several major setbacks this year, including the deaths of three members of its top secretariat Raul Reyes, Ivan Rios and Manuel Marulanda. Republican Presidential hopeful John McCain was in Colombia on the day of Betancourt’s release, completing a three day Latin America trip. He was warmly received in Colombia by President Uribe causing some to speculate that the White House’s help in rescuing Betancourt was no coincidence. While in Mexico and Colombia, McCain stressed issues of security, immigration and trade. Casting the trio as an example of his foreign policy credentials, McCain and his rival, Barack Obama agree on much of their Latin America policy, with the exception of trade.

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