(July 4, 2008)--A video taken during the Colombian mission to rescue 15 hostages shows the joy as the 15 suddenly realized they were free.
They hugged one another and shed tears of joy.
The video first shows the hostages filing toward a helicopter with their hands bound, thinking they were simply being moved to yet another rebel camp.
But the video was shot by Colombia soldiers who posed as a media crew, tricking the rebels into giving up the hostages during Wednesday’s daring operation.
The final images show the hostages as they realize what's up - that after years in jungle prisons, they are finally free.
The videotape was displayed at Colombia's military headquarters Friday.
Three of the freed hostages, all American contractors, were flown to Texas.
Another, Ingrid Betancourt is getting a hero's welcome in her native France.
Upon arriving in the country, Betancourt told supporters and reporters that she cries "with joy."
French President Nicolas Sarkozy greeted her at the airport.
Betancourt is a dual French-Colombian citizen who was campaigning for Colombia's presidency when rebels kidnapped her in 2002.
She's being treated to a party in her honor at the presidential palace.
Sarkozy had made freeing Betancourt a priority since being elected France's president last year.
Her captivity was a cause of widespread concern in France.
Her supporters held candlelight vigils and marches around the country.
Betancourt is scheduled for medical tests at a Paris hospital on Saturday.
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