ELDR welcomes the release of the French-Columbian politician Ingrid Betancourt, kidnapped by the left-wing Farc rebels (guerrilla) in 2002 and yesterday returned from “her journey to the past”, following six years of imprisonment in the southern jungle province of Guaviare, Colombia. Once fully recovered from her ordeal, we hope she will continue with her engagements in political activities, espousing the freedom of expression and freedom of thought. Ms Betancourt was kidnapped in 2002 while running as a presidential candidate in an area controlled by the Farc.