Ingrid Betancourt was on board a helicopter bound for Bogotá’s military air base before she knew for a fact that she was no longer a prisoner of the Farc. ”We are the armed forces of Colombia. You are free,” said a tearful Ms Betancourt, recalling the words that marked the end of more than six years of captivity in remote Colombian jungle.

Wearing an army camouflage hat and top, Mr Betancourt was first out of the plane to greet her husband and mother.