HOSTAGE RESCUE MAKES SHAKIRA PROUD TO BE A COLOMBIAN.

Pop superstar SHAKIRA is celebrating the rescue of former Colombian presidential candidate INGRID BETANCOURT and 14 other hostages from captivity, insisting peace in her homeland is attainable. The group was kidnapped by Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias Colombianas (FARC) and held captive for six years. The hostages hit international headlines on Thursday (03Jul08) when they were finally freed, and Shakira was quick to hail the rescue a big step towards peace in Colombia. In a statement the singer says, "This is a historic day for all of us, for this country that has suffered a lot, but today we see tears of happiness uniting us in an immense hug.

"Colombia today stands on its feet and looks to the future with the hope of peace that is nearing.
"After this victory, we'll start the process of recuperating our liberty when the drama and violence is over. We'll all be free when we cease the violence and when peace overcomes war. "The republic has come one step closer to that today, and it's renewed my faith in democracy and our institutions, and in our armed forces. "What a proud day to be Colombian!"