The Colombian military duped FARC guerrillas in a raid that freed 15 hostages, an action that some analysts suggested might help push the rebels to negotiate for peace.

A jubilant France prepares to welcome Ingrid Betancourt, the French-Colombian politician freed on Wednesday after six years of captivity by rebels in the Colombian jungle.

For years, Northrop Grumman, a leading military contractor, kept a Web page about the three employees held hostage in Colombia, who were freed on Wednesday.

Hours after the daring rescue operation, three American hostages were flown to the U.S. and as French-Colombian politician was reunited with her family.

Though the timing of an operation to free hostages in Colombia was unrelated to John McCain’s visit, the events helped the candidate highlight his foreign policy credentials.