Metro Jacksonville

QuoteJuly 16th, 2008 · 25 Comments
Colombian military intelligence used the Red Cross (ICRC) emblem during the rescue of Ingrid Betancourt, unpublished photographs and video viewed by CNN show. Misuse of the symbol is a war crime under the Geneva convention.

Photographs of the Colombian military intelligence-led team that spearheaded the rescue, shown to CNN by a confidential military source, show one man wearing a bib with the Red Cross symbol. The military source said the three photos were taken moments before the mission took off to persuade the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia rebels to release the hostages to a supposed international aid group for transport to another rebel area.

Such a use of the ICRC emblem could constitute a “war crime” under the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law and could endanger humanitarian workers in the future, according to international legal expert Mark Ellis, executive director of the International Bar Association.

“It is clear that the conventions are very strict regarding use of the symbol because of what it represents: impartiality, neutrality. The fear is that any misuse of the symbol would weaken that neutrality and would weaken the (Red Cross),” Ellis said.

“If you use the emblem in a deceitful way, generally the conventions say it would be a breach. (Based on the information as explained to me,) the way that the images show the Red Cross emblem being used could be distinguished as a war crime, ” he added.

The lawyer of César, one of the two guerrillas arrested during the rescue operation, says his client confirms the use of the ICRC logo by members of the rescue team and says the rebel already was visited by members of the Red Cross to be heard about the possible misuse of their emblem.

“The International Red Cross visited César last Friday. He told these Swiss officials the Red Cross symbols they were wearing were similar to those carried by some of the people involved in operation ‘Jaque’, Rodolfo Ríos told W Radio.

According to his lawyer, César denies having stated the members of Colombia’s military intelligence identified themselves as members of the Red Cross, but did wear the symbols.

The unpublished video and photos of the mission, hailed internationally as a daring success, were shown to CNN by a military source looking to sell the material. CNN declined to buy the material at the price being asked; it was therefore unable to verify the authenticity of the images.

Colombian President Álvaro Uribe and his top generals have categorically denied that international humanitarian symbols were used in the July 2 rescue mission that freed the prized hostages, who included former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, three U.S. military contractors and 11 Colombian police and soldiers. (Colombia Reports / CNN)



Category: Colombian news


1 Mr. Gordon // Jul 16, 2008 at 9:39 am

Anyone remember the last time CNN wailed about “war crimes” when Palestinian terrorists used Red Cross ambulances to transport weapons, or used schools to hide the launching of rockets into Israel?

Or the last time CNN moaned about “war crimes” when Iraqi terrorists used mosques as weapons depots, or as firing stations for attacks on helpless civilians?

What’s that? Never, you say?
2 Monito // Jul 16, 2008 at 10:00 am

3 a furious colombian // Jul 16, 2008 at 10:36 am

It is absolutely incredible that CNN will publish such a lie. This is yet another evil intention by some leftist/comunist/FARC-Chavez related guy lying about a serious and heroic event by the Colombian president, army, and soldiers. Everyone knows you can work “miracles” with photography. You can appear to show whatever you want with the available technology. What CNN has not published was the public declarations of all of the rescued hostages who confirmed live on Colombian TV that no ONG/Red Cross/Other symbols were seen at all during the whole rescue operation. Evil will NOT prevail!!!
4 Diego, a Colombian // Jul 16, 2008 at 10:47 am

Let me remind you all: FARC intercepts ambulances coming out of conflict zones and kills it’s occupants… AMBULANCES. Also, they rape the women that are “hostages”, kill unarmed civilians inside churches and attack small villages and towns to stay with the land. As far as I know, if that doesn’t earn the “War Criminal” title to FARC, I can’t give a damn about the geneva convention or the red cross.
5 Yeny // Jul 16, 2008 at 10:50 am

It is unacceptable that despite the fact that CNN was “unable to verify the authenticity of the images”, it still published an article with the title “Colombian Military used Red Cross Emblem in Rescue”. That is a serious accusation that, unless it is verified, it cannot be published in that tone. For that reason to me, the news is not even worth discussing.
6 Jorge // Jul 16, 2008 at 11:09 am

I say way to go Colombia! Way to go Uribe for taking action against these animals! Way to go! This rescue should be remembered as a great step towards defeating these barbarians, not as a violation of the law! CNN ran this story because they knew it would create an outcry and increased exposure…irresponsible. Right now there are 15 people safe at home that were rescued without firing a single shot. I don\’t remember the last time a mass rescue like this went this smoothly. The mere fact that Colombia is being accused of committing a war crime is disgusting! None of the guerrillas were hurt…yet they have killed thousands of people! This is a pathetic attempt by the media to tarnish a nation that has already had enough sorrow to deal with on its own.

I praise Alvaro Uribe for doing what it takes to clean up Colombia!
7 Concerned Colombian // Jul 16, 2008 at 11:39 am

But is it news? They said they couldn’t verify the authenticity of the videos and photos they saw, yet they plaster it all over the news and speak of “war crimes.” I wonder where CNN was when the FARC stopped an ambulance carrying wounded Colombian soldiers, forced them to get out and then executed them. Where was the talk of “war crimes” then, the front page exposure, etc.?

From what I gather, the rescue mission identified itself as an NGO. They did not pretend to be Red Cross as Ingrid’s statement at the time of her rescue proves. What could have happened, if that is indeed the Red Cross symbol, is that in preparing for the mission, one of the soldiers might have slapped it on as part of his garb. So the question is, if the rescue team DID NOT pretend to be ICRC (and they didn’t, or do you think the FARC would’ve let the hostages go with them?) are any future ICRC missions in danger? Are their personnel in danger? I really don’t see how, to be honest. This wasn’t a supposed humanitarian mission from the ICRC that resulted in the liberation of the hostages. This was a supposed NGO claiming to be sympathetic to the cause of the FARC and willing to transport the kidnapped to a different location. So where is the “war crime”?

Now this raises an interesting point. Since the FARC were so willing to trust this cover of an NGO to transport their most precious “assets”, wouldn’t this mean that other NGOs have aided them in the past? I mean, they seemed awfully comfortable with the whole thing. Perhaps it was some of those NGOs who claim to be human rights groups while vouching only for the guerrilla and condemning the Colombian military at every turn. Just food for thought….

(And just so there is no misunderstanding, I’m not talking about the ICRC. The ICRC is a respected organization worldwide that does invaluable work. I’m talking about shadier groups such as ALDHU, the Latin American Association of Human Rights.)
8 juancegomez // Jul 16, 2008 at 11:45 am

News flash via Caracol…apparently President Uribe has confirmed this and someone, he or Juan Manuel Santos, has officially presented excuses (to the Red Cross?). More information will be available later, I suppose.
9 Diego, a Colombian // Jul 16, 2008 at 11:51 am


The mere fact that this is called a war crime is inconceivable. The IRCC has all the rights to complain to Colombia in Colombian courts. But the fact that CNN has taken it upon themselves to basically condemn Colombia for rescuing these people in a bloodless mission is unforgivable. Especially when these hypocrites praised the Colombian government when the story first broke about the rescue. I wonder what steps CNN would have taken if it were their own journalists being taken captive…
11 Jorge // Jul 16, 2008 at 12:00 pm

I am just waiting for the day now that the FARC sues Colombia for “violating” the GC and demand that the hostages be returned to them…

“No fair…YOU CHEATED!!DO OVER!!DO OVER!!