July 4, 2008 (LPAC)--In his July 2 message to the nation, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe underscored that the Armed Forces and other security personnel "are heroes" who have fought tirelessly to wipe out the FARC insurgency, at great personal sacrifice.

Yesterday, as a result of the stunning operation which rescued 15 FARC hostages, Uribe said, the names of "Colombia's Armed Forces, the Army of our Fatherland, our soldiers and policemen, enter into the exalted annals of the history of humanity's heroes." Colombia's name "has been inscribed in letters of gold in the democratic world." Between 1990 and 2000, 147 soldiers died as a result of anti-personnel mines, while 448 were wounded. But between 2001 and 2008, 942 soldiers were killed, and 3,041 wounded. "This is only one of the displays of the magnitude of this heroism," the Colombian President stated.

The Colombian leader described the rescue operation as one of "perseverance--one that has tested the unlimited intelligence of Colombians, embodied in the intelligence of the Army and the Fatherland. [It was] a respectable operation from every standpoint; a military epic paying homage to human rights."

In explaining why no shots were fired against the FARC guerrillas, Uribe explained that he wanted to send a message, warning them not to mistreat those hostages still in their possession. But beyond that, he wanted the FARC to understand that his policy of "Democratic Security" isn't an end in itself, "but rather a road to peace--to total peace." Uribe emphasized that what he wants to leave the FARC with "is the invitation to make peace. We have always been willing [to negotiate]. [We ask] that they begin by freeing all the hostages still in their possession."