by Alan McBride, 540 WFLA/FNN BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA -- The US State Department reported late Wednesday that 15 hostages held by revolutionaries in the Colombian

AP BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) - Colombian spies tricked leftist rebels into handing over kidnapped presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and three U.S. military contractors Wednesday in a daring helicopter rescue so successful that not a single shot was fired.
Betancourt, who was seized on the campaign trail six long years ago, appeared thin but surprisingly healthy as she strode down the stairs of a military plane and held her mother in a long embrace. The Americans — Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes and Keith Stansell — also appeared well as they arrived in Texas to undergo tests and reunite with their families.
been held longer, according to the U.S. Embassy in Bogota.

LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AP) - With little fanfare, three American hostages rescued from leftist guerillas in Colombia returned safely to the United States, more than five years after their plane went down in rebel-held jungle.
The men didn't wave to reporters or bend down to kiss the ground upon their return late Wednesday. They simply boarded waiting helicopters, which took them to a hospital where they were expected to reunite with their families.
es had disappeared.

LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AP) — With little fanfare, three American hostages rescued from leftist guerillas in Colombia returned safely to the United

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Relatives of the three US former hostages rescued from leftist Colombian guerrillas on Wednesday have expressed their excitement about

The release of Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other hostages from Colombian Farc rebels has been welcomed by her family, world leaders and human rights groups.