What does it mean for President Alvaro Uribe?
The successful military operation to rescue Ms Betancourt is an undoubted coup for the president, whose father was killed by Farc rebels in a kidnap attempt 20 years ago. It could not have come at a better time, as he faces political difficulties at home. Although very popular for his hardline stance against the rebels, President Uribe been facing calls for an investigation into the legality of his re-election in 2006. A former politician had been convicted of taking a bribe to support the constitutional reform that granted Mr Uribe an unprecedented second term, and Congress is investigating whether Mr Uribe was directly involved in the bribery. He denies any wrongdoing. What does it mean for the Farc? The Farc have lost their major bargaining chips in their calls for the government to exchange high-profile hostages for jailed rebels. They have also, especially in the case of Ingrid Betancourt and the three US citizens, lost their principal diplomatic weapon to force the government int
